Manchester City kept the pressure on Arsenal after they comfortably beat Bournemouth 4-1 today on the south coast.
Pep Guardiola’s side got off to the perfect start after Julian Alvarez poked home from close range after Erling Haaland hit the crossbar,
Just before the half-hour mark Haaland notched his 27th Premier League goal of the season, the big Norweigan stroking home after Phil Foden had directed IIkay Gundogan’s cross into his path.
Erling Haaland has now scored the most goals in a Premier League season by a Man City player ever.
He only made his debut in August 🤯 pic.twitter.com/TeopKQ4yih
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 25, 2023
On the stroke of half-time, Phil Foden killed the game off when the England international pounced on a loose pass across the Bournemouth goal before finishing clinically.
Things got worse for Gary O’Neil’s struggling Bournemouth side when Chris Mepham diverted an Alvarez volley into his own goal on 51 minutes.
The Cherries got themselves a consolation late on, with Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma blasting home a volley from 12 yards.
Man City move back to within two points of league leaders Arsenal after today’s win and speaking afterwards their manager Guardiola was particularly pleased with his side’s attacking players.
“Considering the amount of games and a lot of travel we played incredibly aggressive. Our attack was more dynamic and we got a good result,” Guardiola told BBC Sport.
“Rico Lewis, I rely on him a lot since he came in and made his debut, his quality and intelligence. He is a fantastic player. We are delighted to have him, a player from our academy.
“He moves in small spaces, to play in pockets that we need he is unique. He is really good at that.
“Erling Haaland, his impact has been incredible. We love him and he is helping us, today we found him more and he is an incredible threat. We need Phil [Foden] – his work ethic, his goals, his assists. Step by step he will be back.”
