EPL: City claim Premier League top spot with stunning 6-1 victory over Bournemouth

Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League table with a sensational 6-1 win over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The champions were in scintillating form, scoring three goals in seven minutes before halftime and adding three more in the second half.

The star of the show was Jeremy Doku, who scored one goal and provided four assists in a dazzling display of pace, skill, and creativity. The Belgian winger opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a low shot from the edge of the box after a neat exchange with Bernardo Silva.

City doubled their lead in the 35th minute, when Doku crossed for Silva to head home from close range. Three minutes later, Doku set up Manuel Akanji for the third goal, as the Swiss defender volleyed in from a corner.

Bournemouth were shell-shocked by the city’s onslaught and could not cope with their movement and passing. The visitors had a brief spell of possession in the second half and managed to pull one back in the 58th minute, when substitute Luis Sinisterra scored with a curling shot from the edge of the box.

However, City soon restored their five-goal cushion as Doku claimed his fourth assist of the game, finding Phil Foden in the box, who slotted past the keeper in the 62nd minute. Doku then turned provider for Silva again, who scored his second goal of the game with a low drive from outside the box in the 68th minute.

City completed the rout in the 82nd minute, when Nathan Ake scored against his former club with a diving header from Oscar Bobb’s cross. The Dutch defender celebrated with his teammates as City fans applauded their team’s performance.

The result lifted City to the top of the table, one point ahead of Liverpool, who play Arsenal on Sunday. Bournemouth remained in the relegation zone, four points from safety. City manager Pep Guardiola praised his team’s display and singled out Doku for his exceptional contribution.

“He is a fantastic player, with incredible speed and vision. He can score goals and create chances for others. He is still young, but he is improving every day. He is a joy to watch and to work with,” Guardiola said.

Bournemouth boss Scott Parker admitted that his team was outclassed by City and urged them to bounce back in their next game. “We knew it would be a tough game, but we didn’t expect to lose by such a margin. We have to accept that they were too good for us today and learn from our mistakes. We have to show more character and resilience in the next game,” Parker said.