Leicester City’s Islam Slimani (second from right) scores a header in their EPL match against Burnley in Leicester on Saturday. The hosts won 3-0. (Photo: AFP)
Leicester City’s Islam Slimani (second from right) scores a header in their EPL match against Burnley in Leicester on Saturday. The hosts won 3-0. (Photo: AFP)
Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Kelechi Iheanacho shone as Manchester City crushed Bournemouth 4-0 on Saturday to provisionally go five points clear in the Premier League.
League debutant Ilkay Gundogan also found the net for Pep Guardiola’s City, who have made their best ever start to a season with eight consecutive wins in all competitions.
Full debutant Islam Slimani scored twice as champions Leicester City won 3-0 at home to Burnley and there were also wins for Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion.
At the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola made four changes to the team that had outclassed Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Champions League, with Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Nolito and Iheanacho coming in.
Jack Wilshere, on loan from Arsenal, made his first Bournemouth start, but it was to prove an afternoon to forget for the England international.
He gave away the free-kick that led to City’s 15th-minute opener, De Bruyne cleverly stroking the set-piece beneath the jumping wall and into the bottom corner. The Belgian was involved in the hosts’ second goal 10 minutes later, moving Nolito’s pass on to Sterling, who unselfishly teed up Iheanacho — deputising for the suspended Sergio Aguero — to score.
Sterling added a third early in the second half, squeezing a shot over the line after Iheanacho had returned the favour, before De Bruyne set up Gundogan for City’s fourth. The only disappointment for Guardiola was the late dismissal of Nolito for leaning his head towards Adam Smith.
Everton can trim City’s lead back to two points if they win at home to Middlesbrough in Saturday’s late game.
Liverpool and Chelsea also trail City by five points following the Merseyside club’s impressive 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Friday.
Arsenal are also on 10 points after winning 4-1 at Hull City to register a third consecutive league win for the first time since last December.
West Brom withstood a late West Ham United fightback to claim a 4-2 win at The Hawthorns.
