At a glance

  • Erling Haaland scores twice in first half for 13 league goals this season

  • Tyler Adams claims first Bournemouth goal

  • Nico O'Reilly drills home third for City in the second half

  • Man City move up to second, Bournemouth drop to fourth

  • PLAYER RATINGS

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter at Etihad Stadium

Erling Haaland was back on the scoresheet with two goals to help Manchester City return to winning ways in the Premier League and leapfrog Bournemouth into second place.

Pep Guardiola's side had suffered their first defeat in 10 games at Aston Villa last Sunday, with Haaland not finding the net for only the second time this season.

But the Norwegian's double proved crucial against the in-form Cherries as City moved six points behind leaders Arsenal.

Bournemouth almost made the dream start when they had the ball in the net after 46 seconds through Eli Junior Kroupi, but the goal was ruled out for offside as the teenager looked to score for a fourth successive league game.

Despite the early scare, the hosts went ahead in the 17th minute courtesy of Haaland, who latched on to Rayan Cherki's neat header on the halfway line and there was only going to be one outcome as the striker stroked home an unerring finish.

The visitors, though, restored parity just eight minutes later when Tyler Adams reacted quickest to crash home following Gianluigi Donnarumma's miscued punch, although the goalkeeper felt he had been held by David Brooks at the corner and was booked for his protestations.

It was USA midfielder Adams' first goal in English football during spells at Leeds and Bournemouth.

City, though, have a prolific marksman in Haaland and the striker linked up again with Cherki before going around Djordje Petrovic and coolly converted his 13th league goal of the campaign - and 26 in all competitions for club and country.

He was denied a first-half hat-trick when a chipped effort was clawed away by the Bournemouth goalkeeper and also headed over at the start of the second period.

Kroupi had a first-time shot batted away by Donnarumma and that miss proved crucial as Nico O'Reilly burst forward at the other end on the hour mark and drilled in a precise, finish low into the corner to seal an impressive success.

Man City analysis: Home comforts for Haaland again

Guardiola doesn't understand why Bournemouth goal wasn't disallowed

Guardiola's men were edged out at Villa for a third league loss of the campaign, raising concern over how much that setback would impact them.

But City have responded with back-to-back wins by despatching Swansea in the Carabao Cup in midweek and collecting three crucial points against a Bournemouth side that has impressed so far this season.

The hosts produced a stylish display to maintain their perfect record against their opponents at Etihad Stadium in the Premier League, now winning all nine contests between the two sides.

The talismanic Haaland was of course integral to their fortunes, marking his opener with a robot celebration.

His double took his tally to 13 in the league this season, both finishes never in doubt after being sent clear by classy assists from the excellent Cherki.

It meant Haaland became only the third player to score two or more goals in four consecutive Premier League home appearances - matching the feats of Robbie Fowler and Luis Suarez.

The 25-year-old will be disappointed, though, not to have a first match ball this term, unable to convert further opportunities before being replaced by Omar Marmoush with eight minutes left.

O'Reilly, constantly supporting the attack with rampaging runs from the back, confirmed the victory when he drilled home from a pass by Phil Foden on the Englishman's 200th league appearance for the club - the 15th and youngest to achieve the landmark.

Rodri replaced Foden, with the Spain midfielder returning to action for the first time in a month following a hamstring injury, while fellow substitute Tijjani Reijnders stung the palms of Petrovic with another attempt.

Arsenal look the team to beat this season after their storming start, but City have slowly got back to the form that will make them title challengers again.

Bournemouth analysis: Cherries overpowered as unbeaten run ends

'Haaland is just that good' - Iraola reaction to Man City defeat

Bournemouth sold a number of their key players in the summer but such has been their togetherness this term, they suffered only their second defeat after losing to defending champions Liverpool on the opening day.

Had young forward Kroupi just held his run to meet a Brooks cross and stay onside in the first minute they might have got something from the game. But they were eventually overpowered by a City side as strong as they had been in this campaign, especially going forward.

The trio of Antoine Semenyo, Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier all made their 100th appearances for the club, but could not prevent their side's eight-game unbeaten run coming to an end.

Bournemouth's dismal record against City has now seen them lose 16 of their 17 meetings, their only joy with a home victory last season.

But Andoni Iraola's men have enjoyed their best start to a top-flight campaign and their enterprising play, determined approach and lack of fear should offer hope for the remainder.

What's next for these teams?

Manchester City are back in Champions League action on Wednesday, 5 November, welcoming Borussia Dortmund to Etihad Stadium (20:00 GMT), before hosting third-placed Liverpool in the league on Sunday, 9 November (16:30 GMT).

Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth will look to get back on track at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, 9 November (14:00 GMT).

Player of the match

E. Haaland
8.50
9 E. Haaland
8.50
10 R. Cherki
7.50
33 N. O'Reilly
7.37
27 Matheus Nunes
7.27
11 J. Doku
7.10
24 J. Gvardiol
6.84
14 Nico González
6.84
21 R. Aït-Nouri
6.83
3 Rúben Dias
6.80
47 P. Foden
6.78
4 T. Reijnders
6.61
20 Bernardo Silva
6.58
25 G. Donnarumma
6.43
7 Omar Marmoush
6.25
16 Rodri
6.21
26 Savinho
5.95
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