Manchester City defeated Bournemouth on Sunday in the penultimate game of the Premier League week to go six points back of Arsenal.
The first half was a cagey, physical affair as both teams believed they could get a result on the night. Though, only one side had Erling Haaland. The Norwegian was clinical in front of goal after failing to score last weekend against Aston Villa.
Though Tyler Adams scored his first Premier League goal to keep them in the tie, Rayan Cherki cut open the Cherries defence again for Haaland’s second of the evening.
The result marks just Bournemouth’s second loss in 10 games this season. Overall, the Man City defence limited the Cherries’ talented attackers to half-chances.
Man City Player Ratings vs. Bournemouth (4-2-3-1)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma—6.7: Should have done better on the corner for Bournemouth’s only goal of the evening.
RB: Matheus Nunes—7.7: Performed well and dealt with Semenyo and Adrien Truffert for most of the night.
CB: Rúben Dias—6.9: The Portuguese was solid at the back and looks to be building some consistent form.
CB: Joško Gvardiol—6.9: Put in some big tackles and won four of his six duels.
LB: Nico O’Reilly—8.3: Probably should’ve had two goals on the night, but will be happy to secure his first goal of the season.
DM: Nico González—7.7: The Spaniard had another strong showing knowing competition for places will increase given the return of Rodri.
DM: Bernardo Silva—6.8: A more quiet night for the Portuguese. In and out of the game at times.
RW: Rayan Cherki—8.6: The creative spark that set Haaland free for both of his first half goals.
AM: Phil Foden—8.0: Active and accurate in a central creative role on his 200th league appearance for the Cityzens.
LW: Jérémy Doku—7.4: Completed the most dribbles of any player (5) and also created the most chances (4).
ST: Erling Haaland—9.1: Scored two clinical goals after blanking last time out in the Premier League.
Subs not used: James Trafford (GK), John Stones, Nathan Aké, Rico Lewis
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1)
Starting XI: Djordje Petrovic; Álex Jiménez, Bafodé Diakité, Marcos Senesi, Adrien Truffert; Alex Scott, Tyler Adams; David Brooks, Marcus Tavernier, Antoine Semenyo; Eli Junior Kroupi
Subs used: Justin Kluivert, Lewis Cook, Evanilson, Ryan Christie, Ben Gannon Doak
Player of the Match: Erling Haaland
Man City 3–1 Bournemouth—How It Unfolded at Etihad Stadium
Man City looked to carry momentum from their midweek Carabao Cup triumph over Swansea into the match. In their way was an intense, well-coached Bournemouth side under Andoni Iraola.
Haaland opened the scoring in the 17th minute in clinical fashion. Cherki did well to set the Norwegian away from just inside their own half as Haaland raced toward the Bournemouth goal. He made no mistake to beat Petrovic with a vicious strike.
The hosts did not lead for long, though. Tyler Adams equalised for the Cherries from a corner. Donnarumma failed to deal with a dangerous ball from Alex Scott as the rebound fell to the U.S. international. Man City players protested to referee Anthony Taylor for a foul, but it was checked and cleared by VAR. It was the American’s first goal in the Premier League.
Yet, for all the good work done from the corner, Haaland could not be contained. A brilliant pass around the corner by Cherki set Haaland on his way again as he rounded an oncoming Petrovic to bag a brace.
ERLING HAALAND LIVES TO SCORE GOALS. MAN CITY ARE BACK IN FRONT. pic.twitter.com/eyTBfaphvr
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 2, 2025
Nico O’Reilly added a third in the 60th minute to put the game to bed. Haaland did not get the chance to complete his hat trick as he was substituted in the 82nd minute for Omar Marmoush. Overall, the 15th time he’s been taken off with a brace, but also his fourth straight home game finding the back of the net twice.
A positive sign late in the game was the return of Rodri. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner had a brief cameo in stoppage time marking his first return since picking up an injury against Brentford earlier in the season.
The result puts Man City six points back of Arsenal for the league lead. Next up is a Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund before facing Liverpool.
Man City vs. Bournemouth Halftime Stats
Man City vs. Bournemouth Full Time Statistics
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Man City Player Ratings vs. Bournemouth: Clinical Haaland Sinks Cherries.
