Erling Haaland set Manchester City’s goalscoring record as the Premier League champions beat Bournemouth 4-1 to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal on Saturday.
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Haaland scored his 27th goal in 24 Premier League appearances, setting a new City single-season record in the competition as he surpassed Sergio Aguero’s tally of 26 in 2014-15.
Pep Guardiola’s men had taken the lead at Dean Court through Julian Alvarez’s early strike when Haaland scored.
Phil Foden’s first league goal since November and Chris Mepham’s own goal completed City’s first win in their last three games in all competitions.
Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Leicester on Saturday has increased the pressure on City, who have been sidelined for the second weekend in a row.
They had a commanding lead in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, allowing Arsenal to claim top spot in the process.
City also failed to capitalize on Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
But City have never lost to Bournemouth in their previous 18 meetings and they beat the strugglers for the second time this season to move within two points of Arsenal, who have a game against Everton on Wednesday.
Despite his goalscoring haul, Haaland has faced criticism over the past week amid growing debate over his perceived flaws and possible negative impact on City this season.
Haaland’s costly miss in the Forest series has led to some questioning whether City, champions in four of the past five seasons, are a less cohesive unit with the Norwegian striker in the lineup.
But Haaland’s 33rd goal in 32 appearances in all competitions since joining from Borussia Dortmund last year should silence any doubters.
– Bay in class –
Kevin de Bruyne was only fit enough to come on as a substitute on his return from injury after missing out on Leipzig.
That means there is room for Alvarez and World Cup winners Argentina are quickly returning Guardiola’s faith.
When Foden’s advance into the area was stopped by Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto, Haaland flicked the rebound onto the crossbar and Alvarez was on hand to finish from almost the line.
Determined not to repeat their last-minute failure to hold on to the lead, City pushed forward and Ruben Dias headed inches wide.
City were in complete control and Haaland doubled his lead in the 29th minute.
Ilkay Gundogan’s cross was bundled into the goal by Rico Lewis and Haaland swooped home from close range.
Bridging the gap in class between the teams, Haaland has scored more league goals than any Bournemouth squad has done in the competition this season.
Foden put the result beyond doubt on the stroke of half-time when the City striker latched on to Philip Billing’s pass in his own area, held off Jack Stephens’ challenge and shot past Neto.
Showing the ruthless streak that Guardiola was looking for, City went ahead to score again in the 51st minute.
Foden’s cross found Alvarez and a stinging strike struck Mepham and into his own net as the Bournemouth defender tried to clear it.
City’s run without a clean-sheet was extended to six games when Jefferson Lerma rifled home from 12 yards after the visitors failed to clear an 83rd minute cross.