Manchester City also easily wins the second game of the Premier League season, even if superstar Erling Haaland “only” contributes an assist. But another former Bundesliga player delivers a great game against his favorite opponent.
The English football champions Manchester City have clinched their second win in the second game of the Premier League. Against promoted AFC Bournemouth, the team around former Dortmunders Ilkay Gündogan and Erling Haaland won 4-0 (3-0) at home in high temperatures. Gündogan (19th minute) gave the Cityzens the lead. Ex-Wolfsburg player Kevin De Bryune (31st) and Phil Foden (37th) increased before the break for the clearly superior hosts. On top of that, Bournemouth professional Jefferson Lerma (79th) scored an own goal.
New signing Haaland, who had scored both goals in City’s 2-0 win at West Ham United last week, was again the center of the starting XI for star coach Pep Guardiola’s team and, after a remarkable one-two with Gündogan, provided the template for his opening goal. It was the Norwegian’s first touch of the ball on his home debut after 18 minutes. The Norwegian, who switched from Borussia Dortmund to the Premier League in the summer for a good 70 million euros, did not score a goal.
The man of the game was the Belgian international De Bruyne with a goal and an assist – and he was afterwards happy about the victory, which was largely dry from the start: “It was so hot, the conditions were not good. So early with 3 Leading :0 makes it easier but I think we can do better.”
Promoted Bournemouth only forced City keeper Ederson to intervene once – and showed far too little to improve the bad record against the champions. The 4-0 defeat marked the eleventh loss in the Cherries’ eleventh Premier League game against Manchester City. The defending champions do not have a better record against any other club.
Arsenal FC also has a perfect record, including two goals from Man City’s star striker Gabriel Jesus: the Brazilian scored in the 4-2 (2-0) win against Leicester City in the 23rd and 35th minutes. Steven Gerrard (Aston Villa) won the duel between two team managers who have shaped the league as players for years against Frank Lampard (Everton FC) 2-1 (1-0). Thomas Tuchel is only challenged with Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Jürgen Klopp is hoping for the first win of the season with Liverpool at the end of the day against Crystal Palace on Monday.
After two wins from their first two games, City are top of the table ahead of Arsenal London on goal difference.
