Manchester City kept their Premier League title defense hopes alive when they thrashed Bournemouth 4-1 on Saturday night.
Earlier in the day, Arsenal edged past Leicester City to go five points clear, but Pep Guardiola’s side cut the deficit to just 2 points, having played an extra game.
Álvarez opens the scoring
Argentine World Cup hero Julián Álvarez opened the scoring for the visitors in the 15th minute when he harnessed a rebound from a deflected effort from Erling Haaland that hit the crossbar.
Guardiola’s side were at their clinical best, with Ilkay Gundogan pulling the strings in midfield with a flawless performance.
City doubled their lead in the 29th minute when Haaland reacted quicker to score after Foden’s early effort.
The goal brought the Norwegian’s tally to 27, surpassing the scoring comeback of club legend Sergio Agüero in a single Premier League season.
The Cherries looked out of depth, and City were soon out of sight just before the end of the first half.
Phil Foden, making his 200th appearance for the club, capitalized on Philip Billing’s catastrophic square pass, the left-footed winger sending the ball into the back of the net as City were out of sight.
Shortly after the restart, it was 4-0 at the 51st minute when Álvarez fired a shot towards goal, but Chris Mepham deflected it into the back of the net.
City could have gotten their fifth right on the hour mark, but Neto got a good grasp of Nathan Ake’s powerful effort to keep it 4-0.
Guardiola soon removed Haaland and Gundogan to give them a well-deserved rest. He brought in new signing Maxime Perrone, giving city fans a glimpse of the 20-year-old Argentine.
Jefferson Lerma scored a late consolation for the hosts in the 83rd minute when he finished off a Jordan Zemura setback.
The result means City now have 55 points from 25 games, while Bournemouth are 19th and face serious relegation prospects.
Photo Credit: IMAGO/PA Images
