Bournemouth‘s return to the Premier League will not be judged on results against defending Premier League champions, Manchester City, and it came as little surprise when the hosts strolled to a 4-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.
Much of the pre-match talk was about Erling Haaland continuing his run to the Premier League Golden Boot, although the Norwegian international played nothing more than a supporting role as City’s midfield shone.
Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring in the 18th minute of the game, getting on the end of a clever pass inside the penalty area from Haaland before firing a powerful shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Scott Parker‘s side barely had time to adjust before City had doubled their lead 10 minutes later through Kevin de Bruyne.
EFE
The Belgian international jinked past a number of defenders before sending an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area into the net.
It was a goal which signified the end of the match as a contest, yet before the break it was 3-0 to the Blues as Phil Foden scored with a low drive into the middle of the goal just before half-time.
Pep Guardiola was able to make a change at the break, withdrawing Foden in favour of Jack Grealish, and Bournemouth approached the second half with the intention of not losing by six or seven.
Manchester City recycled possession well and got a lot of rest on a hot day in the North West of England, as Bournemouth elected not to press any higher than inside their own half.
EFE
Eventually, though, Manchester City‘s quality, even in second-gear, forced the visitors into a mistake that made the game 4-0.
Jefferson Lerma scored an own goal, attempting to head away a cross into the penalty area but accidentally nodding the ball just inside the left post of his own goal, leaving his goalkeeper with no chance to make a save.
Guardiola will look back on the afternoon as an easy one, and his team now sit on maximum points with a significant boost to their goal difference ahead of tougher matches ahead.
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