Haaland double fires Manchester City past Bournemouth, to go second in Premier League

Erling Haaland scored twice to fire Manchester City to a 3–1 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday, lifting the champions to second place in the Premier League table.

Bournemouth had started the day in second after enjoying the longest unbeaten run in the English top flight, but their momentum was halted by the Norwegian striker’s ruthless form. Haaland’s brace took his tally to 13 Premier League goals in just 10 matches this season.

The result keeps City firmly in the title race as they narrowed the gap to leaders Arsenal to six points and moved one point ahead of Liverpool, whom they will face next weekend.

Despite City’s defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, manager Pep Guardiola remained confident his side can challenge for the title come May — and Sunday’s display offered further encouragement.

New signing Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden impressed in creative roles, while Nico O’Riley became the first City player other than Haaland to score in the Premier League for over a month.

Bournemouth began brightly, buoyed by their unbeaten streak since the opening-day loss to Liverpool. However, their high defensive line was exposed in the 17th minute when Cherki’s header released Haaland, who sprinted from his own half before driving the ball past Djordje Petrovic.

The visitors levelled eight minutes later when Tyler Adams lashed home after Petrovic appeared to be impeded during a corner. But City regained control before half-time as Haaland latched onto another clever Cherki pass, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted home his 26th goal of the season in all competitions.

The 25-year-old also became only the third player in Premier League history to score multiple goals in four consecutive home matches, joining Luis Suárez and Robbie Fowler.

Guardiola has repeatedly called for more attacking contributions beyond Haaland, and O’Riley answered that call by sealing the win late on. Foden set him up, and the full-back drove a low strike into the far corner to make it 3–1.

Haaland was substituted eight minutes from time, missing out on a hat-trick as Guardiola looked ahead to City’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday — the striker’s former club.

The win keeps City within striking distance of Arsenal, who have won nine consecutive matches and kept seven straight clean sheets across all competitions.