Erling Haaland’s brace and Nico O’Reilly’s second-half strike sealed a 3-1 victory for Manchester City as they return to second place in the Premier League.
Man City player ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6/10
The Italian shot-stopper had a mixed afternoon at the Etihad. While he did commit an uncharacteristic error leading directly to Bournemouth’s equalizer, his reaction afterward was commendable. He produced a sharp, crucial save from Kroupi in the second half and handled most other routine efforts and high balls with composure.
Matheus Nunes – 7/10
Deployed on the right flank, Nunes delivered one of his most vibrant and effective performances since joining the club. He was a constant source of energy, relentlessly pushing forward to support the attack while demonstrating great pace to recover his defensive position when necessary.
Rúben Dias – 6/10
The defensive leader was a bedrock in the center of the defense. Dias ensured the backline remained organized, expertly reading the game to cut out through balls and assertively commanding the penalty area during periods of Bournemouth pressure, particularly from set pieces.
Joško Gvardiol – 6.5/10
The Croatian defender maintained a solid and reliable presence next to Dias. Gvardiol’s game was defined by composure, using the wide spaces well to advance the ball when City switched the play and contributing to the overall stability of the team.
Nico O’Reilly – 8/10
O’Reilly’s excellent display was capped off by a fantastic strike for City’s third goal, sealing the victory. His powerful running and willingness to take on the responsibility in advanced areas made him a significant attacking threat down the left side.
Nico González – 7/10
Stepping into the deep-lying midfield role, González was arguably the most effective player in controlling the central third. He displayed remarkable poise against Bournemouth’s aggressive press, using his body and quick turns to retain possession and dictate the rhythm of the game.
Bernardo Silva – 7/10
The influential Portuguese midfielder showed his leadership by dropping into various positions to maintain shape and launch the high press. Although he was unusually sloppy with possession at times, his relentless work rate and tactical intelligence were vital in ensuring City’s overall control.
Rayan Cherki – 9/10
An exceptional creative performance from the French playmaker. Operating in the number ten position, Cherki pulled the strings in the final third, exhibiting a telepathic understanding with the striker and delivering two exquisite assists for Haaland’s brace. His ability to switch the tempo was masterful.
Phil Foden – 8.5/10
Foden enjoyed a hugely productive partnership with Cherki, as the two interchanged beautifully in advanced zones, consistently carving open the visiting defense. He was constantly involved and earned a well-deserved assist for O’Reilly’s goal late in the game.
Jérémy Doku – 7.5/10
The Belgian winger was most effective when drifting centrally to form a narrow creative axis alongside Foden and Cherki, using his close control to navigate traffic. While his success in wide one-on-one situations was surprisingly limited, his central contribution was impactful.
Erling Haaland – 9/10
Simply inevitable. The Norwegian sensation put injury doubts to rest with a commanding performance, scoring two goals with clinical finishing. His pace and world-class movement proved overwhelming for the Bournemouth central defenders, securing the pivotal points for the champions.