Man City 4-0 Bournemouth: Player ratings & man of the match as City go top of the league

Manchester City beat Bournemouth 4-0 on Saturday to go top of the Premier League table.

It was a dominant display from the champions on their return to the Etihad, in a hugely one-sided game. It was Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden who got the goals in the first half, with the fourth coming from a Jefferson Lerma own-goal.

City dominated from the early stages, with Nathan Ake and Rodri going close with headed chances.

Mark Travers, who had a busy afternoon, did well to keep out Phil Foden’s one-on-one chance, with the goalkeeper flying out to narrow the angle.

It was a case of when, not if, City would find the opening goal, and it took until the 19th minute to get the first of the game.

Gundogan was the one to grab it, beginning this season at the Etihad how he ended last term. Erling Haaland did excellently in the build-up, holding off a Bournemouth defender before slipping the ball back into Gundogan’s path. From there, the No.8 placed it beyond Travers.

Ederson was called into action soon after and kept out a Ben Pearson strike on goal, Bournemouth’s only one of the game.

It was 2-0 before long, with De Bruyne curling one with the outside of his right foot into the back of the net, after picking it up midway inside the Cherries’ half and accelerating forward.

On 37 minutes Foden had added a third. He was given the ball inside Bournemouth’s box and placed it on target, although Travers should have done better to keep the shot out.

It was a similar story after the break, with the Cherries keeper forced into a stop to keep out a low, driven effort from De Bruyne.

The Belgian was everywhere, and drove a striker over soon after, minutes before Gundogan curled one wide. Travers then kept out a shot from Mahrez after he cut inside on his left.

Haaland could have marked his home debut with a goal, but snatched at a cutback from Jack Grealish in the 73rd minute, in what was the striker’s last touch of the game.

The match produced few late chances, although Jefferson Lerma accidentally put the ball into the back of his own goal on 79 minutes, which proved to be the final goalscoring opportunity.

Things did boil over after the game with Grealish and Joao Cancelo involved in a heated exchange with Adam Smith of Bournemouth, but it was quickly defused by the other team-mates from both sides.

Here’s how we rated the players...

Manchester City player ratings

Ederson- 6

Barely had a touch all afternoon but kept out Pearson’s shot when called upon.

Kyle Walker- 6 (off 82)

Pushed inside when City had the ball and helped them move it quickly through the central areas. The defender didn’t have much to deal with going towards his own goal.

Ruben Dias- 6 (off 63)

Rarely forced into action, but used the ball well at the back. The decision to replace him was probably due to a need for Stones to be given minutes.

Nathan Ake- 7

A very solid performance from the former Bournemouth defender. Ake’s speed helped cut out a few breakaway attacks for the opposition, while he dealt well with the physical threat of Kieffer Moore.

Joao Cancelo- 7

Like Walker, spent more time attacking than defending, and he set up the fourth goal with an adventurous run into the box. A solid showing from the Portugal international.

Rodri- 6

Always an option in possession and helped to keep the ball ticking over. The Spaniard had two decent efforts in the first half.

Ilkay Gundogan- 8 (off 63)

Was excellent for City and helped link the play between midfield and attack. The midfielder took his goal brilliantly and pressed Bournemouth on the rare occasions they were in possession.

Kevin De Bruyne- 8

Another man-of-the-match showing from the Belgian. He scored one goal and set up another, in an all-round brilliant display. De Bruyne was everywhere, often collecting the ball out wide and crossing it into Haaland or City’s other attackers.

Riyad Mahrez- 6

Was better in the first half, but helped City stretch the game by playing high and wide all afternoon. Mahrez often looked to cross the ball into the box.

Erling Haaland- 6 (off 74)

Rarely touched the ball but was a real threat with his runs in behind. The summer signing made his home debut and was close to getting on a number of crosses and passes, while his hold-up play created Gundogan’s first-half goal.

Phil Foden- 7 (off 46)

Operated from the left flank and was replaced at the break. The No.47 took his goal well and played the pass for De Bruyne’s goal.

Jack Grealish- 6 (on 46)

Was in for some rough treatment by the Bournemouth players, with Chris Mepham booked for a challenge on him. The winger saw a lot of the ball and was, in the main, positive in possession.

John Stones- 6 (on 63)

Had a quiet afternoon, but it was good for the centre-back to get some minutes in the tank.

Bernardo Silva- 7 (on 63)

Got a huge reception from the home fans when he came on, and Silva was good in the 27 minutes he was on the pitch. It was his forward run that resulted in Lerma’s own-goal.

Julian Alvarez- 5 (on 74)

Found it difficult to get involved on his Etihad debut.

Rico Lewis (on 82)

Bournemouth player ratings

Travers 7; Smith 5, Mepham 4, Lerma 4, Kelly 5, Stacey 5; Tavernier 6 (Sensi 79), Pearsons 4, Cook 4 (Billing 63;5), Christie 5 (Stanislas 63;5); Moore 6 (Lowe 90).