Bournemouth still never fit break their Etihad Stadium curse as Manchester City beat dem 3-1 on Sunday evening. The win don carry Pep Guardiola men go second for Premier League table.
Bournemouth start the match sharp — Eli Junior Kroupi even score within first one minute, but VAR say offside. From that point, City just take control. Erling Haaland open the scoring with him trademark sharp finish inside 20 minutes.
Bournemouth still respond quick as Tyler Adams use Gianluigi Donnarumma blunder grab him first ever Premier League goal — equalizer wey ginger the away fans small. But normal service soon return as Rayan Cherki combine with Haaland again, the Norwegian round Dorde Petrovic calmly restore City lead before halftime.
Second half, Nico O’Reilly seal am. Him slot the ball neatly enter bottom corner after Phil Foden set am up. Bournemouth try hold ball later on, but City defence too composed — game end 3-1 for Pep boys.
TPB Verdict
Bournemouth don dey play beautiful football this season, but against Man City, dem show small naivety. That high-press wey don help dem since start of season nearly work again, but against Haaland? Big mistake.
The guy too fast, too strong, and too deadly. Once you give am space, you go pay. Today na same story — Haaland score two and still help City build plenty attack. Guardiola go dey happy with both attack and defence; Bournemouth no even get many clean chances.
Andoni Iraola fit still collect some positives sha — dem hold possession fine and still show say dem fit go toe-to-toe with big teams. But the bad record for Etihad continue: dem still never win there.
Highlights: Man City vs Bournemouth
17th Minute – Erling Haaland (1-0): Haaland drop deep, lay pass to Cherki, the French boy lob header over defence, Haaland sprint like mad, collect am and slot under Petrovic. Cold finish.
25th Minute – Tyler Adams (1-1): Bournemouth corner, Donnarumma come out, misjudge punch, ball drop for Adams, him no waste time — volley enter net. Sharp equalizer.
33rd Minute – Erling Haaland (2-1): Another Cherki to Haaland combo. One sweet lob pass over defence, Haaland round keeper, slot from tight angle. Killer instinct.
60th Minute – Nico O’Reilly (3-1): Foden lay pass to O’Reilly, him feint shoot, step in and blast am low into bottom corner. Clean as you like.
Man of the Match – Erling Haaland
Unstoppable. Unplayable. Unbelievable. Na just the three words fit describe Haaland today. The two goals na normal business for am, but the way him hold ball and link up play too sweet to watch. Man no just be finisher; him be full striker package.
Match Stats
Possession: Man City 48% – 52% Bournemouth
Shots: Man City 15 – 8 Bournemouth
Shots on target: Man City 8 – 5 Bournemouth
Corners: Man City 9 – 4 Bournemouth
Fouls: Man City 8 – 11 Bournemouth
Stat of the Day
4 – Erling Haaland don become only the third player for Premier League history to score 2+ goals for four straight home games. Only Robbie Fowler (1995/96) and Luis Suárez (2013) do am before. Phenomenal no even reach to describe am.
Next Match
Manchester City go face Borussia Dortmund next for Champions League group phase match on Wednesday night for Etihad. Bournemouth on the other hand go try bounce back when dem visit Aston Villa for Villa Park next weekend.
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