ERLING Haaland was back on the scoresheet with two goals to help Manchester City return to winning ways in the Premier League and leapfrog Bournemouth into second place.
Pep Guardiola’s side had suffered their first defeat in 10 games at Aston Villa last Sunday, with Haaland not finding the net for only the second time this season.
But the Norwegian’s double proved crucial against the in-form Cherries as City moved six points behind leaders Arsenal.
Bournemouth almost made the dream start when they had the ball in the net after 46 seconds through Eli Junior Kroupi, but the goal was ruled out for offside as the teenager looked to score for a fourth successive league game.
Despite the early scare, the hosts went ahead in the 17th minute courtesy of Haaland, who latched on to Rayan Cherki’s neat header on the halfway line and there was only going to be one outcome as the striker stroked home an unerring finish.
The visitors, though, restored parity just eight minutes later when Tyler Adams reacted quickest to crash home following Gianluigi Donnarumma’s miscued punch, although the goalkeeper felt he had been held by David Brooks at the corner and was booked for his protestations.
It was USA midfielder Adams’ first goal in English football during spells at Leeds and Bournemouth.
City, though, have a prolific marksman in Haaland and the striker linked up again with Cherki before going around Djordje Petrovic and coolly converted his 13th league goal of the campaign – and 26 in all competitions for club and country.
He was denied a first-half hat-trick when a chipped effort was clawed away by the Bournemouth goalkeeper and also headed over at the start of the second period.
Kroupi had a first-time shot batted away by Donnarumma and that miss proved crucial as Nico O’Reilly burst forward at the other end on the hour mark and drilled in a precise, finish low into the corner to seal an impressive success.
Guardiola’s men were edged out at Villa for a third league loss of the campaign, raising concern over how much that setback would impact them.
But City have responded with back-to-back wins by despatching Swansea in the Carabao Cup in midweek and collecting three crucial points against a Bournemouth side that has impressed so far this season.
The hosts produced a stylish display to maintain their perfect record against their opponents at Etihad Stadium in the Premier League, now winning all nine contests between the two sides.
The talismanic Haaland was of course integral to their fortunes, marking his opener with a robot celebration.
His double took his tally to 13 in the league this season, both finishes never in doubt after being sent clear by classy assists from the excellent Cherki.
It meant Haaland became only the third player to score two or more goals in four consecutive Premier League home appearances – matching the feats of Robbie Fowler and Luis Suarez.
Manchester City are back in Champions League action on Wednesday, 5 November, welcoming Borussia Dortmund to Etihad Stadium (20:00 GMT), before hosting third-placed Liverpool in the league on Sunday, 9 November (16:30 GMT).