Manchester City striker Erling Haaland struck twice as the champions defeated Bournemouth 3–1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, climbing back to second place in the Premier League table.
The Norwegian forward’s clinical display ensured Pep Guardiola’s men kept up the pressure on leaders Arsenal, trimming the gap to six points and staying one point ahead of Liverpool, whom they face next weekend.
After City’s shock loss at Aston Villa last week their first defeat in 10 games, Guardiola’s side responded in trademark fashion.
Haaland opened the scoring in the 17th minute after racing onto Rayan Cherki’s clever header to finish past Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
The visitors hit back moments later when Tyler Adams capitalised on a goalmouth scramble following a corner, slotting home from close range despite protests from City’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma over an alleged foul.
But Haaland restored City’s advantage before the break, latching onto another incisive through-ball from Cherki, rounding Petrovic and rolling in his 26th goal for club and country this season.
The 25-year-old’s brace made him only the third player in Premier League history to score multiple goals in four consecutive home games, joining Liverpool legends Luis Suárez and Robbie Fowler.
Despite Guardiola’s calls for more goals from his other attackers, Haaland remains City’s primary source of firepower no teammate has scored more than once in the league so far this season.
City finally put the game to bed late on when Nico O’Riley surged forward from defence to fire in a low strike, assisted by Phil Foden, who was lively throughout.
Haaland was substituted eight minutes from time, with Guardiola choosing to rest him ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash against his former club Borussia Dortmund.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola said he was satisfied with his team’s response following last weekend’s setback.
“We showed character after the defeat at Villa Park. The hunger is still there, and we’ll keep pushing Arsenal all the way,” he told reporters.
The victory keeps Manchester City firmly in the title picture, while Bournemouth who had gone unbeaten since the opening day — dropped to third after their impressive run came to an end.
