Another comfortable victory at the Etihad and another game in which we’ve scored freely. Also a good way to go into midweek’s tricky fixture against Sevilla.
Player ratings from Manchester City’s win over Bournemouth here:
Joe Hart: Had little to do. Little he could do about the goal. Customary scream at the defence after we conceded. Distribution was fast and accurate: 6.
Pablo Zabaleta: Had a quiet game and did little wrong. Cleared his lines when he needed to: 6.
Eliaquim Mangala: Maybe could’ve closed down Murray faster for the goal but was steady. Didn’t pick up a booking which means he’ll be available for the derby. Lovely tackle right at the end: 6.
Nicolàs Otamendi: Put a few passes astray and lunged in unnecessarily, which earnt him a booking, but had a steady game and only conceded the one: 6.
Bacary Sagna: Playing on his unfavoured side at left-back, he did ok and worked well down his flank: 6.
Fernandinho: Played cautiously and less intensely as usual, as a booking would’ve ruled him out of our trip to Stretford next Sunday. Still managed to sweep up well and keep things ticking over: 6.
Yaya Touré: Didn’t really do much in the first half. Hauled off at half time for Fernando as a precaution: 5.
Raheem Sterling: Hat-trick hero! Fresh from scoring for his country, he carried on in spectacular fashion. His first was an instinctive tap-in, his second was beautiful as he teased the Bournemouth defence with two body feints and lashed home brilliantly. His third came after fantastic work from Jesus Navas and when it fell to him he placed it through Federici’s legs. Could’ve had five on another day. This will have done his confidence no harm: 8.
Kevin De Bruyne: Does things so nonchalantly but so effectively too. Had a great effort tipped onto the bar and set up Sterling’s second with a nice through ball: 7.
Jesus Navas: OK he missed an open net but the work he did in the first place to get us into that position was superb. We wouldn’t have scored it without him. He also set up Bony’s second superbly and Bony singled Navas out for praise in his celebration as he lifted the Spaniard up triumphantly. His crossing was much better too: 7.
Wilfried Bony: Nice for the big man to get a brace with the pressure that’s been put on him in Sergio Agüeros absence. His hold up play was good as he brought players into attacks nicely. Assisted our first and looks good for our midweek European tie: 7.
SUBS:
Fernando: Looks much better these days, deputised well for Touré and passed without too many problems: 6.
Samir Nasri: Couldn’t get into it: 5.
Kelechi Iheanacho: Had a goal ruled out which he finished with the ease that of a seasoned striker would have. A deft dink, next time maybe…: 5.
