Doku dazzles as super City hit six to move top of the Premier League

The Belgian opened the scoring after half an hour after a delightful curling strike following a neat one-two with Rodrigo.

He then played the passes that led to precision finishes for Bernardo Silva’s two goals and Phil Foden either side of a shot that clipped Manuel Akanji’s back for City’s third.

Nathan Ake added a late sixth for a victory as we extended our home winning run in the Premier League to 21 matches to set a new club record.

What happened

Patience was the key in the opening half hour as the visitors tried to keep City away from the penalty box despite us enjoying around three quarters of the possession.

City picked up where we left off in the impressive Manchester derby victory, maintaining our composure as we found gaps in Bournemouth’s backline.

It was Haaland who went closest in the opening 30 minutes first finding space in a crowded box to get on the end of Julian Alvarez’s deep cross but his header deflected off Lloyd Kelly and onto the outside of the post before the same defender blocked his snapshot from 12 yards.

Pep Guardiola made four changes from the win at Old Trafford, including Manuel Akanji who appealed for an early penalty when he appeared to be tugged back at a corner by Milos Kerkev.

Mateo Kovacic also came in alongside Rodrigo, who had the first shot on target comfortably saved by Andrei Radu, while Bernardo Silva shifted out to a wide position where he teased throughout and almost opened the scoring with a whipped effort that was inches away.

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It was another of those changes from Old Trafford in Doku that made the crucial breakthrough, before having a big hand in our next two goals as we accelerated into a 3-0 half-time lead.

The Belgian winger cut in from the edge of the box, exchanged passes with Rodrigo before curling the precision return first time and beyond Radu.

Three minutes later, Doku appeared on the right wing where he twisted and turned Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham before laying the ball back to Bernardo Silva who elegantly sidefooted the ball home.

Doku then claimed another assist four minutes after that, although it initially looked like the goal was his. City worked a corner to the forward on the edge of the box where he cut inside and lashed the ball into the bottom corner, clipping Akanji’s back on the way to goal.

City made a change at half-time with Haaland replaced by Foden and he added his name to the scoresheet in the 64th minute.

Bournemouth had started the second half well and thought they had found a quick route back into the game inside 60 seconds when Dominic Solanke scored from close range but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The Cherries striker then slammed the crossbar on the hour but City continue to threaten and again it was Doku who claimed the assist when he rolled the ball into Foden who waited before slamming the ball past a helpless Rodu.

Bournemouth finally got onto the scoresheet when Luis Sinisterra tucked a shot under Ederson after a fast break.

But City weren’t finished and Doku sliced through the visitors’ defence again, this time with a brilliant pass into the path of Bernardo who kept his cool to finish in style.

Substitute Oscar Bobb also claimed a memorable assist, his first for City, when his cross was steered in by Ake who scored against his former club to wrap up another superb victory.

Teams

CITY XI: Ederson, Walker (C), Stones (Lewis 71), Akanji, Ake, Rodrigo (Phillips 71), Kovacic, Bernardo (Bobb 85), Doku, Alvarez (Nunes 71), Haaland (Foden 46).

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Dias, Grealish, Gvardiol.

BOURNEMOUTH XI: Radu, Aarons, Mepham (Senesi 46), Zabarnyi, Kelly (C), Kerkez, Scott (Rothwell 44), Billing (Semenyo 71), Christie, Solanke (Kluivert 85), Tavernier (Sinisterra 71).

Subs: Travers, Smith, Brooks, O. Dango.

Man of the match

Doku has settled remarkably quickly at the Etihad since his summer move and more than lived up to his billing as one of the most exciting young dribblers in the world.

City fans were thrilled by his performance against Brighton in our last home game where he terrorised James Milner into being replaced at half-time.

And it was the same again as his ability to go in either direction caused Bournemouth problems all afternoon, not just the five goals he was involved in.

It’s been an exciting opening few months from the 21-year-old who says he can get even better.

Pep Guardiola reaction

“In his first game against Fulham, [Jeremey] was so shy, but at West Ham he started to show his incredible skills. He played really good there and all the games here at home he played fantastic.

“But he’s not just one against one and one against two. He surprised all of us - he’s a great footballer. He reads every action for exactly what he has to do.

“His quality is close to the box. Always we talk about that. Go, dribble and go because its difficult to find a player today with the ability to play in small spaces and he is one of the fastest players over five metres. It’s incredible how he changes the rhythm in five metres.

“After that when he’s not able to dribble, he takes good decisions and I’m impressed by that. That’s why for me he’s a great, great footballer.”

NATHAN AKE reaction

What it means

City head back to the top of the Premier League following our emphatic victory.

Tottenham who went into the weekend top of the Premier League, play on Monday night against Chelsea.

What’s next

We’re back at the Etihad on Tuesday 7 November for our Champions League clash with Swiss champions Young Boys at 20:00 (UK).

After winning our opening three games in Europe, victory would see us qualify for the Round of 16 knockout stages.

Our next Premier League match is at Chelsea on Sunday 12 November at 16:30 before we take another international break.