Manchester City maintained their grip on top spot in the Premier League with Raheem Sterling scoring his first professional hat-trick in a 5-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium. Of the 30 players who scored more goals (7) or the 15 players who registered more assists (7) than Sterling last season, no one was his age or younger.
Advertisement
While Glenn Murray pulled one back for Bournemouth in the 22nd, Sterling restored the two-goal lead with a superb solo effort in the 29th, dribbling past two defenders in the area before slotting a low shot into the net.
Manchester City this season have the squad to absorb the loss of key players without a significant impact on the team’s performance – at least in the short term – and that is one of the reasons they will probably find themselves top of the league come May 2016.
Federici did brilliantly to tip a De Bruyne shot on to the bar after that, but his first half ended with more misery, as he got into a mix-up with Andrew Surman in dealing with a long ball, and Jesus Navas nipped in.
Federici had only been called into the team at the last moment after Artur Boruc was injured in the warm-up and his unexpected opportunity quickly turned sour as Bony snaffled a gift from close range. City doubled their advantage soon after when Bony capitalised on a calamitous spill from Federici to slot into the gaping net.Federici was helpless as Sterling tapped in from three yards, after Pablo Zabaleta had charged forward from right-back to head Fernandinho’s angled pass across goal and Bony had touched on.
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré has admitted driving at 101mph (163km/h) on a motorway – and will face a trial in December for his speeding offence. He’s a wonderful talent who just needs time to flourish.
Former Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling was the star of the show for the Citizens, as he scored a hat-trick.
It is unclear when Bony picked up the disease, but it could account for his unremarkable start to his City career – although he has also picked up a few niggly injuries.
“We had to do something different without Sergio and David”, Manuel Pellegrini said afterward. Bacary Sagna provided a relatively tame cross from the left, but the keeper chose to punch it rather than go for the cross, practically placing it on the boot of the Ivorian striker, leaving him with the simplest of finishes.
De Bruyne said: “More people will look at us because we have lost two great players on the attacking front, but I think the other ones are really good players”.
Advertisement
The result kept the Gunners in second place on goal-difference to third-placed United, also two points behind City. He brought people into the game and scored goals when he needed to.
