Erling Haaland’s scoring form shows no signs of slowing down, as his two goals powered Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth, moving them up to second in the Premier League.
Facing a Bournemouth side who started the day in second thanks to the league’s longest unbeaten run, City knew they was in for a test. But the match quickly became a showcase for the Norwegian striker, who took his tally to an astonishing 13 goals in just 10 league games.
It was Bournemouth whom started brighter, but their brave high defensive line was their undoing. On 17 minutes, a simple header from Rayan Cherki sent Haaland galloping clear from inside his own half, and he made no mistake slamming the ball past Djordje Petrovic. The visitors did managed to level eight minutes later, after Gianluigi Donnarumma claimed he was impeded at a corner, allowing Tyler Adams to thrash home the loose ball.
City’s lead was restored before the break, and it was that man again. Haaland raced onto another clever pass from Cherki, rounded the goalkeeper, and coolly slotted home for his 26th goal of the season across all competitions. The strike also made him only the third player ever to score multiple goals in four consecutive Premier League home games.
Pep Guardiola has repeatedly asked for other players to share the goalscoring burden, and he finally got a response. After Haaland was denied a hat-trick, full-back Nico O’Riley strode forward and arrowed a low shot into the far corner after a nice set-up by Phil Foden, sealing the three points.
The victory cuts the gap to leaders Arsenal back to six points and edges City one point ahead of Liverpool, who they face in a huge match next weekend. Haaland was substituted late on, likely with one eye on a Champions League trip to his former club Borussia Dortmund. His double was enough to ensure City keep pace with an Arsenal side who are on a rampant winning streak of their own.
