Manchester City swept to the top of the Premier League with a 6-1 thrashing of Bournemouth on Saturday, but the champions’ rout was marred by an injury scare to Erling Haaland.
Jeremy Doku was the star of the show for City, scoring a goal and providing four assists as Pep Guardiola’s side ran riot at the Etihad Stadium.
The Belgian winger opened the scoring for the champions before setting up Bernardo Silva for the second. Manuel Akanji then deflected in Doku’s shot for City’s third goal, and Phil Foden grabbed the fourth after the interval from another Doku assist.
Teed up by Doku yet again, Silva made it five and Nathan Ake completed the demolition job for City.
However, Guardiola will be sweating on Haaland’s fitness after the Norway striker was forced off at half-time following a first-half knock.
Haaland could be absent when City face Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday and Chelsea in the Premier League next weekend.
The international break after the trip to Stamford Bridge would offer Haaland a chance to recover without missing any further matches for his club.
Despite the injury scare to Haaland, City’s victory over Bournemouth was a sign of their intent and hunger for silverware this season.
The champions have now reeled off four successive victories in all competitions since losing to title rivals Arsenal in October.
City have won each of their last 14 meetings with Bournemouth in all competitions, and they now sit one point clear of Tottenham at the top of the Premier League table.
