Man City 3-1 Bournemouth – Haaland and Cherki combine twice to help City to victory

Guardiola reacted: “I said from the beginning I like the team, many things, every time.”

On the title race, he added: “Well, hopefully Arsenal can concede one goal one day, right? Many, many things are going to happen. The important thing is to be close and feel that the team is getting better and better. That is the point.”

The Bournemouth boss continued: “The way we want to play we accept there is a risk with the defensive line.

“Against other players maybe you have time to correct but against Haaland you lose one metre and it is impossible to recover…The timing, the speed, the finishing is top class.”

“We played a decent game,” said Iraola. “But decent is not enough in this stadium.

“We’ve done good things today but we’ve also had mistakes. They don’t allow you mistakes here.”

A good performance all round from City, and one of their best displays of the season against a tough opponent.

The Blues move up to second in the league, leapfrogging Bournemouth. Iraola’s side picked up a few knocks, but they will have to dust themselves down and move on to the next one.

Rodri makes his return, replacing Silva for the final moments.

Ait-Nouri also comes on for Foden.

Donnarumma has the ball in his hands and looks to pick out Marmoush in space early.

Kluivert blocks his kick and is shown a yellow card.

There will be no hat-trick today, as Haaland is taken off.

Marmoush is on for the final few minutes.

Adams has an issue and is unable to continue.

Iraola sends on Gannon-Doak in his place.

Iraola also makes a change, with Christie replacing Scott.

This game is starting to feel settled.

Reijnders replaces Cherki, after an impressive performance from the Frenchman.

Doku also makes way with Savinho coming on.

Foden beats Truffert, who then pulls him back as he looks to drive forwards.

Bournemouth’s left-back is shown a yellow card.

Iraola sends on Evanilson, Kluivert and Cook.

Kroupi, Brooks and Jimenez are withdrawn.

City have another and finally extend their lead.

Foden slides it through for O’Reilly on the edge of the box who takes it into the box and drills into the bottom corner.

Bournemouth get forward again and work another chance for Kroupi.

The 19-year-old strikes well but Donnarumma is equal to it and produces a smart stop.

Cherki gives the ball away and the Cherries burst forward.

It comes to Brooks at the back post who lays it off for Kroupi but he rifles into the sidenetting.

Cherki takes the kick off for the Blues.

The second half is underway!

Semenyo is back out for the second half and has not been taken off.

Clearly still in discomfort, the Ghanian has some kind of ice packs down the back of his shorts.

City do not get to take the corner as the referee blows for half-time, making him even more unpopular with the home crowd.

So far the game has lived up to its billing as a tight clash between two good teams. City have their noses in front at the break thanks to some clinical finishing from Haaland, but this could still go either way.

Cherki whips a dangerous free-kick straight towards the top corner.

Petrovic dives well to tip it round the post for a corner.

Foden is the first man booked for an apparent trip off the ball.

The referee has not been popular with the home support so far and that is showing no sign of changing.

The game is back underway and Semenyo will try to continue:

The Ghanian does not look comfortable though, and is still limping.

A worrying sight for Iraola and Bournemouth as Semenyo is down in some real discomfort.

The Ghanian looks to have an issue in his back and is receiving treatment on the pitch.

Haaland has a chance to complete a first half hat-trick.

However, this time Petrovic gets a strong arm up to deny him.

Semenyo tries his luck for the first time this afternoon.

It is an optimistic long range efforr and Donnarumma saves comfortably.