Erling Haaland scored another two goals for Manchester City as they beat Bournemouth 3-1 — and jumped above their opponents into second place in the Premier League — at the Etihad Stadium.
The Norwegian, who is in unstoppable form, picked up his 12th and 13th league goals of the season in a clinical display from the home side.
His first came after he was sent through on goal by a clever header from Rayan Cherki in the 17th minute. The run — from just beyond the halfway line — and finish have become almost inevitable across his Premier League career.
Shortly afterwards, Bournemouth’s USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams scored his first Premier League goal after an uncharacteristic error from Gianluigi Donnarumma at a corner, when the Italian failed to punch the ball clear properly, allowed him to poke the ball home.
But Haaland latched on to another Cherki through ball before half-time, slotting home a second clinical finish, to restore the lead. Nico O’Reilly added a fine goal in the second half to seal all three points for City — and take them to six behind pacesetters Arsenal after 10 games.
Here, our writers break down the key talking points from the game.
Cherki and Foden dovetail to serve Haaland
The big question heading into this game had been whether City manager Pep Guardiola could feasibly include both Phil Foden and Cherki in the same team.
He said it was a possibility but the last opponent they were expected to be deployed against was Bournemouth, the team who perhaps best represent the Premier League’s shift to a more direct, end-to-end game.
But concerns over the balance of the side after the Aston Villa loss were soothed by the devastating efficiency of the duo.
The French playmaker set up Haaland’s goals with two smart through balls. On both occasions, he saw the move emerge before anyone else and was able to set the Norwegian free in behind the Bournemouth back four. The first was a header from a neat Nico Gonzalez clipped pass and the second was a ball around the corner after Foden had spotted him in his wing mirror.
With Bernardo Silva and Gonzalez behind them, City were able to maintain a structure that allowed both players enough freedom to make things happen. Foden started slightly towards the left and Cherki adopted a position to the right but both took it in turns to get close to Haaland and connect the attack. Foden was also instrumental in the third goal as his turn and pass set up O’Reilly, an act which saw his manager blow him two kisses.
But it was Cherki who made the biggest impact. He excelled in midweek against Swansea and received a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 70th minute. Injury meant this was his first league start since the 2-0 defeat to Spurs, the second game of the season.
12 – Erling Haaland has scored 12 Premier League goals this season; the only players to score as many or more in their side’s first 10 matches of a campaign in the competition are Les Ferdinand (13 in 1995-96) and Haaland himself (15 in 2022-23). Robot. pic.twitter.com/rIgLcyhym8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 2, 2025
Jordan Campbell
Fast breaks catch out Bournemouth
Haaland’s opener meant City now have more goals from fast breaks this season (four) than in the whole of last season (three). Only today’s opponents, Bournemouth, have more, with five.
This is not evidence that Guardiola has dramatically shifted towards a direct, counter-attacking style. City still spent much of the game patiently working the ball around Bournemouth’s aggressive press, but they now possess the canniness to mix things up when the moment presents itself.
The simplicity of the first strike was a far cry from the intricate build-up City fans have grown accustomed to under Guardiola.
It helps, of course, to have a burly, lightning-quick striker leading the line — once Haaland is in behind, it is usually too late. Those traits make him lethal against high-pressing sides like Bournemouth, whose high line offers him acres of open grass to attack.
By maximising this lurking presence up top with simple, quick attacks, City now have a potent antidote to opponents intent on aggressively disrupting their usual patient build-up.
Conor O’Neill
Donnarumma recovers from blunder
Donnarumma has made a solid start to his City career, recording five clean sheets in 10 games, across all competitions, but he was weak for Bournemouth’s equaliser.
An inswinging corner dropped into the six-yard area saw him try to punch clear amid a crowd of bodies but he badly mistimed his connection and Adams was able to stab home the loose ball.
(Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Donnarumma erupted at the referee Anthony Taylor, claiming he was fouled. David Brooks did have a sly hand around his bicep but how much force he applied and whether it had any meaningful impact on the goalkeeper’s ability to clear the ball was doubtful.
His reaction seemed to light a fire under City over the next 20 minutes. The Etihad was not happy with the referee and the players preyed upon that siege mentality, cutting through Bournemouth almost at will for a period.
Donnarumma was busy early in the second half and adopted a different method to dealing with Bournemouth’s crowding at corner kicks. Instead of jostling, he simply used Jeremy Doku as a human riot shield, shoving the diminutive Belgian winger into Semenyo, Brooks and anyone else who came into his orbit.
He did not have too many big saves to make after that, but he did get a crucial hand to deny Eli Junior Kroupi from just inside the box and maintain City’s lead. Clearly, he learnt from his mistake — and did not let it affect him.
Jordan Campbell
What did Pep Guardiola say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for Manchester City?
Wednesday, November 5: Borussia Dortmund (Home), Champions League, 8pm UK, 3pm ET