Was this the game when Manchester City found their Kevin De Bruyne replacement?
If providing assists for Erling Haaland is the marker with which to judge how the Belgian’s big boots are being filled, then it certainly felt so as Rayan Cherki set up both of the Norwegian’s goals in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
The visitors hadn’t lost in the Premier League since the opening day of the season and halting their eight-match unbeaten run was always going to require **Pep Guardiola**’s team to be close to their best.
Their clinical finishing was what sealed this City win, one which took them above **Andoni Iraola**’s impressive side and one place below leaders Arsenal in the standings after the opening ten games.
The combinations between Cherki and Haaland was what stood out most on this particular November afternoon at the Etihad Stadium, though.
Getty: Marc Atkins
Bournemouth were fearless at the outset but couldn’t find a way to halt the decisive and, yet, so simple attack that gave City the lead. It was a clipped pass from Nico Gonzalez, a deft header by Cherki and Haaland was sent through.
The cushioned touch by the French international that allowed the striker to run beyond the Bournemouth backline was perfectly weighted. Telepathy to the fore.
Cherki’s belief in his team-mate was most evident, though, when the 22-year-old raised his arms up in the air in celebration even when Haaland still had 40 yards to goal. Such is the master marksman’s predictability.
A clever pass around the corner by Cherki set-up Haaland’s second and that provided further evidence that the two are working on the same wavelength.
“*We all know his qualities so it’s about trying to get the best out of everyone,” Haaland said. “Today he had two amazing assists to me. Hopefully there will be many more.*”
Haaland's scintillating form proving too much
The partnership between the pair could potentially be potent. Cherki does offer City some individual flair and plenty of creativity, even if his losing of possession with risky passes can at times infuriate his manager.
“*The vision in the final third is so good. The courage to play... he has this special talent, the connection with the people up front,*” Guardiola said of Cherki.
The roles played by Phil Foden, who became the youngest player to play 250 Premier League matches for City, and Gonzalez shouldn’t be underestimated.
Both added to the home side’s attacking manoeuvres in City’s fifth win in seven league outings. Nico O’Reilly’s goal on the hour put this victory beyond doubt after last weekend’s defeat at Aston Villa and ahead of next weekend’s hosting of Liverpool.
Getty: Robbie Jay Barratt
“[It’s an] important win,” Haaland said. “It’s good to bounce back after losing a bad away game. It was nice. I tried to contribute for the team by doing my job and we won again. It’s good to win, that’s when everyone is happy. That’s what we try to do all the time.
“I didn’t score in the last game. I try to help the team to win, that’s my goal. Even by scoring, or helping with winning duels, it doesn’t matter. As long as we win, that’s what I want to do. I want to win games and I want to help the team become a better football team. That’s my job.
“So now we have two more important games before the international break and let’s keep focusing.”
Haaland, who is now on 13 goals in 10 league appearances, might have had a hat-trick before being withdrawn in the 82nd minute to a warm ovation from the home crowd. Djorde Petrovic’s strong left arm was all that prevented yet another treble.
“*Yeah of course,” said Haaland when asked if he thought he could have got a hat-trick. “You need to ask Pep for this [being substituted]. I think there are probably a few fantasy managers that were not so happy when I got subbed off.*”
There could be quite a few Fantasy Football managers who hone in on Cherki and Haaland’s creative partnership going forward.