Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City climbed to second in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday.
Bournemouth had started the day in second, riding the longest unbeaten run in the English top flight, but Andoni Iraola’s side were undone by Haaland’s scintillating form. The Norwegian striker now has 13 Premier League goals in 10 games.
City narrowed the gap to leaders Arsenal to six points and moved one ahead of Liverpool, whom they face next weekend. Despite a 10-game unbeaten run ending at Aston Villa last weekend, Pep Guardiola remains confident his side can challenge for the title.
Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden impressed in creative roles, while Nico O’Riley became the first City player other than Haaland to score in the league for over a month.
Bournemouth started brightly, but their high line was exposed on 17 minutes when Cherki’s header allowed Haaland to sprint from his own half and finish past Djordje Petrovic. The Cherries equalized eight minutes later after Tyler Adams pounced on a loose ball following a corner controversy involving Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Haaland restored City’s lead before half-time, finishing another Cherki pass to make it 26 goals for club and country this season. He also became only the third player to score multiple goals in four consecutive Premier League home games, joining Luis Suarez and Robbie Fowler.
Guardiola has urged other attackers to contribute more, as no City player besides Haaland has scored more than once this season. O’Riley sealed the win with a low drive from Foden’s setup.
Haaland was substituted eight minutes from time to rest ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund. His double, however, was enough to keep City in contention despite Arsenal’s nine-game winning streak and seven consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.
