Manchester City climbed to second place in the Premier League on Sunday, thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland (£14.8 million) and one of Nico O’Reilly (£4.9 million).
Here are our Scout Notes from City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
UNSTOPPABLE HAALAND
Haaland scored two more fantastic goals on Sunday to take his Premier League tally for the season to 13, which is more than double that of any other player.
The first, a calm finish, was followed by an angled strike after passing the keeper, as Bournemouth’s high defensive line played straight into the Norwegian’s hands.
He later came close to third place when his poor finish was nipped Djordje Petrovic (£4.5 million).
Unfortunately for Fantasy managersGuardiola opted to partially rest Haaland as he scored a hat-trick with nine minutes to go, with one eye on Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund.
“This is what it’s like when you play with Messi or Ronaldo, his influence is so big. Do you see the guy’s numbers? Of course, he’s at that level. Messi and Ronaldo have done it for 15 years, but this is the level. The first goal, the way he shoots the ball, it’s like I’m going to score. He has that hunger. It’s great. I said how incredibly coachable and controllable he is. I’m difficult with Haaland sometimes, but he is.” He lives for goals and sometimes he can’t keep up the pressure for ninety minutes, but that’s normal. Without him it would be difficult to be honest, but we are lucky to have Omar [Marmoush] is back and we have fit players, that’s good.” – Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland
After that Champions League match, City will take on Liverpool in matchweek 11, which could lead to the captain being a little more open than usual.
However, it is important to note that this match will take place at the Etihad Stadium, where Haaland has now scored two or more goals in four consecutive Premier League games.
CHERKI’S ASSISTANTS
City looked generally sharp, impressive Rayan Cherki (£6.3m) assisted on both of Haaland’s strikes.
The Frenchman also almost got his name on the scoresheet with a free kick.
Often narrow to combine with Phil Foden (£8.0 million) and Jeremy Doku (£6.5m), Cherki finished the match with three shots and two chances created. He also collected 21 passes in the final third, the most of any City player.
“The vision in the final third is good and he has the consistency and the courage to play. With the dynamics we are playing with, we need a little more time to get into the rhythm of the Premier League. He scored a goal and an assist against Swansea. Today he made two assists and has a special talent with the connection with the people up front, that is unique. It is not just that, it is many things. Step by step he can realize what we need to do.” – Pep Guardiola on Rayan Cherki
Above: Man City’s average position chart against Bournemouth, with Cherki (No. 10), Foden (47) and Doku (11)
O’Reilly scored the third goal after the break, firing low and hard into the far corner, with Foden grabbing the assist.
PEP ON REIJNDERS’ ABSENCE
After the failed experiment of Tijjani Reijnders (£5.6m) as number 6 at Villa Park last week, Nico González (£5.9m) started at the base of midfield on Sunday instead.
Reijnders therefore ended up on the bench and only appeared as a substitute in the 73rd minute.
Pep Guardiola explained his decision, saying:
“[Reijnders] doesn’t quite fit. This week he couldn’t train, he only trained yesterday and I decided to bench him. Rodri wasn’t close to the start because of the games he missed, it’s the same case as Tijjani.” – Pep Guardiola
With Liverpool and Newcastle United next in line for City, sales are intensifying, with Reijnders the second best-selling player of Gameweek so far.
Elsewhere, Matthew Kovacic (£5.9m) has suffered an ankle injury and will continue to do so “just get away”.
Abdukodir Khusanov (£5.4 million) and Oscar Bobb (£5.4 million), meanwhile, were disregarded for tactical reasons.
EVANILSON RETURN
As for Bournemouth, That is, Junior Kroupi (£4.6m) retained his place in the starting line-up and almost came out of the blue, but his early goal was disallowed for offside.
The youngster later had a shot thrown away Gianluigi Donnarumma (£5.7m), before making way for the fit-again Evanilson (£7.0m) just after the hour.
In between Haaland’s brace, Tyler Adams (£5.0m) equalized for Bournemouth, while Mark Senesi (£5.0 million) and Adrian Truffert (£4.5m) have both collected Defensive Contribution Points (DefCon).
Next up for Bournemouth is a trip to Aston Villa.
After conceding more than two goals in four of the five away games so far this season, it should be an entertaining affair.
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