The winger was truly electrifying from start to finish as Pep Guardiola's team devoured the Cherries
Jeremy Doku was truly sensational as he inspired Manchester City to a 6-1 win against Bournemouth on Saturday. His skill, imagination and composure were all on show as he scored one and set up another four to make easy work of the visiting Cherries.
The reigning Premier League champions dominated from the start, but came up against a stubborn block of a defence who refused to give away a clear chance. That was until Doku provided the spark City were missing, playing a neat one-two with Rodri to get into a dangerous area and smash in the opening goal.
Just three minutes later, the Belgian winger found himself on the right wing and cut in to dazzle the Bournemouth defence before finding Bernardo Silva with a perfectly weighted pass for the second goal. Doku thought he had a second goal when he lashed in from the edge of the box, but his effort was going wide until it struck Manuel Akanji's back and deflected beyond the goalkeeper.
City slowed down significantly in the second half, but Doku kept up his tempo and linked up well with substitute Phil Foden, teeing the England man up to finish it off just after the hour mark. Doku was even involved in his team's fifth with a smashing pass for Bernardo Silva to chip it in after Luis Sinisterra had pulled one back for the visitors.
Not everything revolved around Doku in the end, though, as Oscar Bobb, almost immediately after coming on, sent in a great cross for Nathan Ake to head in the sixth for City.
GOAL rates City's players from Etihad Stadium…
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Ederson (5/10):
A spectator for most of the match but was well beaten by Sinisterra for Bournemouth's consolation.
Kyle Walker (6/10):
Pushed high up to offer support on the wings and linked up well, but didn't look good for Bournemouth's goal.
Manuel Akanji (7/10):
Lucky to get on the scoresheet as the ball just bounced off his back. Did not have too much defending to do – was more of a supporting presence further up the field.
John Stones (6/10):
Perfect passing rate and backed up the midfield well.
Nathan Ake (7/10):
His passing was sound, made one or two good defensive interventions and then put in a great header for the sixth.
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Rodri (7/10):
Tied things together well, acting as support for the attack and key in the build-up. Played the great one-two with Doku for the opener.
Mateo Kovacic (5/10):
Had a shot saved from close range as the last kick of the ball and fairly quiet otherwise.
Julian Alvarez (7/10):
Was all over the attack and set Haaland up well with a cross and then a through ball. Always smart on the ball in tight areas.
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Bernardo Silva (8/10):
An excellent shot from outside the box went just wide but he found the space to lash in the second goal and was quality through out before adding the fifth goal late on.
Erling Haaland (4/10):
Ruined one excellent chance as he was found in plenty of space but took too many touches – summed up his day. Off at half-time.
Jeremy Doku (10/10):
What a wonderful performance! Delivered the quick burst they needed to open the scoring, fancy footwork for the second, smashed it off Akanji for the third, teed up Foden for number four and then a gorgeous pass to Bernardo for the fifth. Stunning.
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Phil Foden (7/10):
Replaced Haaland for the second half and looked sharp with a good run to score his goal.
Rico Lewis (6/10):
Tried to create some danger for the home team.
Matheus Nunes (5/10):
On for the last 20 minutes but had little to do.
Kalvin Phillips (5/10):
Got a rare appearance and looked up for the fight in the middle.
Oscar Bobb (6/10):
An immediate impact as his cross found Ake for the sixth goal.
Pep Guardiola (9/10):
Can have little to complain about with the way his side picked apart a team that showed signs of frustrating them in the beginning. In the end, City made easy work of it.
