Five Things Learned: Manchester City 3-1 Bournemouth (Premier League) | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City made it five home games unbeaten in all competitions following Sunday evening’s victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.

In comparison to the game at Villa Park seven days prior, it was like night and day for Manchester City, as the creativity and progressiveness that was in short supply in Birmingham was visible in abundance this time out against Andoni Iraola’s side.

Aside from an early scare wherein the visitors got in front inside the first minute through Eli Junior Kroupi that was thankfully for the home side ruled out by the offside flag, City came out of the blocks flying under the lights at the Etihad Stadium.

City looked particularly bright and dynamic, putting the Cherries defence through the paces early on. And with less than 20 minutes on the clock, a deft header from Rayan Cherki picked out the run of Erling Haaland, who slotted home past Djordje Petrovic to give his side the lead.

The Sky Blues’ ecstasy was short-lived, however, as just eight minutes later the early work was undone with a simple Bournemouth set piece after Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been so reliable between the sticks thus far, misjudged his attempted punch, allowing Tyler Adams to fire past him and restore parity.

Crisis was soon averted, however, via the same duo that gave the hosts the lead as a beautifully-weighted pass by 22-year-old Cherki found Haaland, who rounded Petrovic to retake the lead for his side with 33 minutes on the clock.

The home side could have, in truth, been out of sight in the first-half; it was truly one of the best halves of football played by the residents of the Etihad Stadium this season, at least, if not beyond that.

They had several chances to increase the deficit but unfortunately for City failed to seize them. City did, however, take their lead into the break after a very positive performance.

In the second period, City continued to try and probe to seal victory but their visitors were not making life easy and showed just why they are one of the best footballing sides in the league, remaining resilient and still trying to take the game to Guardiola’s side.

On the hour mark, however, the quality of City shone through, and their efforts were rewarded with a third after academy graduates Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly combined.

The former slipped in the latter, allowing him to unleash a powerful strike into the bottom corner, sealing three points and a huge win for Manchester City as they rise to second in the Premier League table in their endeavour to chase down leaders Arsenal.

Here are five things we learnt from Manchester City’s vital triumph over Bournemouth on Sunday!

1. Rayan Cherki has arrived!

On Sunday evening, the Frenchman was simply sensational, a continuous creative outlet always looking to progress the play and approach the game positively with his full focus on creation and moving the ball up the pitch to fashion chances for himself and his teammates.

This statement is proven by his performance against Bournemouth as the former Lyon man showed exquisite vision and attacking prowess, providing two assists for Manchester City’s striking Viking.

In terms of numbers, those in association with Manchester City have been desperate for someone to take some of the attacking burden from the back of Haaland, who at times has had to take matters into his own hands in the final third, evident by his 13 league goals already this campaign.

Whilst Haaland seems to not be getting the service to match the quality of his goalscoring, we may finally have the answer to this dilemma – as summer signing Cherki has returned from injury and stolen the show.

It’s simple: Cherki must start as much as possible. With City struggling in terms of variation and creativity in the final third at times, making it strenuous for them to generate chances, the France international seems a no-brainer for the first names on the team sheet.

Since returning from injury, City’s number 10 has been at the centre of both games he has featured in, with four goal contributions in the last two games and exceptional performances. City absolutely need his creativity and dynamism in the side if they wish to contend for silverware this campaign, and leaving a man of his ability on the bench seems a huge waste.

2. Erling Haaland, we’re running out of superlatives!

You know the drill – he’s done it again. Another brace for Haaland at the Etihad Stadium with two excellently-taken goals and another brilliant all-round performance by the giant centre forward.

The numbers are simply baffling for the 25-year-old machine, making it 14 goal contributions in just 10 league fixtures this term, 20 strikes in 16 in all competitions at club level and an unfathomable 31 goals and assists if you combine his tally for both club and county. This is NOT normal!

It’s not even a debate anymore; in terms of goalscoring, there is nobody in the Premier League or possibly even on the planet. The numbers are simply otherworldly and if the Norwegian machine (who aptly performed Peter Crouch’s trademark robot celebration against the Cherries) can stay fit and firing, who knows the levels he could reach?

It looks to be ominous for the rest of Europe, to say the least!

3. Nico Gonzalez: unsung hero

Nico was unbelievable in the engine room for the Sky Blues against Iraola’s high-flying Bournemouth, one of the best-coached sides in the league who adopt a relentless press, and was by and large completely unfazed.

He showed superb composure in being able to bypass the Cherries’ press without losing possession, allowing him to dictate the tempo and control the game, knowing exactly when to progress the ball and when to take the sting out of the contest.

The 23-year-old clearly isn’t afraid to do his duties at either end of the pitch with 13 defensive contributions for his side (eight recoveries, three interceptions, one tackle and one clearance) whilst also producing a 90% passing accuracy and seven passes into the final third. The former Porto midfielder was essential in the victory over Bournemouth.

Since his £50 million move from Porto in January, Nico’s minutes have been sporadic – which raised question marks over the signing of the 23-year-old – especially considering the rather dire situation of the City midfield at the time.

The pressure of being brought in to replicate Ballon d’Or winner Rodri clearly did not help, as that is simply not possible, but as time has progressed, the number 14 has really grown into his role as the anchor in that City midfield and only seems to be improving.

So although nobody can quite replicate the skillset of the Blues’ adored Rodri, it is clear now that if the goalscorer that night in Istanbul is unavailable, Manchester City need not fret, for Gonzalez is more than capable.

4. Phil Foden: 200 and counting

On December 16 2017, Foden made his Premier League debut at the age of just 17. How long ago does that seem, Blues? Eight years, 62 league goals and SEVENTEEN major trophies later, City’s number 47 made his 200th Premier League appearance against Bournemouth, becoming the youngest City player in history to reach this milestone.

The Englishman marked this historic landmark with another impressive performance for his boyhood club, registering an assist for O’Reilly whilst also drawing the most fouls (three) and creating three chances. Marking off his second century of league appearances in a wonderful way indeed.

It’s hard to believe that a man with 200 league games under his belt, not to mention nigh on 20 pieces of silverware in his trophy cabinet, is only 25 years of age and still has many years left to improve even further and reach the very peak of his powers as he hopes to replicate campaigns similar to the one that won him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award last year.

Foden is an outstanding footballer and his ability is off the charts. Wherever his career takes him next (hopefully to more years at the Etihad Stadium), the future will certainly be exciting for the Stockport Iniesta!

5. A HUGE win!

That fixture was one that Manchester City simply had to win for the title for early shouts for the title to even remain in the realms of possibility, and those in sky blue most certainly delivered.

City performed well in all areas of the pitch and looked possibly the most threatening attacking-wise they have all season, making relatively light work of a very difficult face-off against a high-standard Bournemouth side.

There are still definitely chinks in the armour of this Manchester City side – that’s for sure – but it is undeniable that the improvement is substantial and Guardiola’s side are showing glimpses of the imperious machine they used to be. They’re not quite there but positive signs are there without a doubt.

Once again though, there is still a lot of work to be done and a lot of tough games to be played before title discussions even begin to increase in volume. It is still very early days and yes, the Blues remain six points behind the Gunners ahead of them in first place, but Manchester City are certainly not out of the equation just yet.

It’ll be a very difficult task to fight toe to toe with Arsenal and other contenders, that is for sure, but it is not impossible. Stay optimistic, Blues!