Kevin De Bruyne pulled the strings for Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday as he guided the champions to a 4-0 victory over Bournemouth.
The Belgium international bagged one goal and assisted another as Pep Guardiola s hosts delivered an imperiously composed performance at the Etihad Stadium in their first home match of the season.
Phil Foden matched the playmaker s involvement with a double goal contribution of his own, while Ilkay Gundogan also got in on the act against an outclassed Cherries side, who helped City out with an own goal to complete the scoring.
Scott Parker s men got their first season back in the top flight off to a winning start against Aston Villa last weekend, but this represented a significant step up.
A relentless start from City forced goalkeeper Mark Travers into a clutch of close-range stops, but Gundogan broke through when he played a superb one-two with Erling Haaland to cut into the box and fire a low finish home.
De Bruyne doubled the home side s lead just after the half-hour mark, taking on the Bournemouth defence before shaping a fine effort off the outside of his boot into the far corner.
And two soon became three as Foden s shot evaded Travers following some neat work down the left from De Bruyne.
20 Kevin De Bruyne has both scored and assisted for the 20th time in a Premier League game, only Mohamed Salah (24) and Son Heung-Min (21) have done so on more occasions since the Belgian s Man City debut in September 2015. Maestro.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
The half-time whistle brought much-needed respite for the visitors, but they continued to struggle to get to grips with the might of City, who dominated possession throughout.
In scorching conditions, Guardiola s men turned in a more leisurely display after the interval, although a fourth goal eventually followed when the irrepressible Joao Cancelo saw a square ball diverted into the net by Jefferson Lerma.
What does it mean? Champions too hot for Cherries
Two games and two wins – City s title defence is up and running with few problems.
A more free-scoring second half may have been anticipated after the opening 45 minutes, but Guardiola would have been pleased regardless as his team maintained control of the match, limiting Bournemouth to just three shots throughout.
De Bruyne in command again
Few players can command a game like De Bruyne, and in lieu of an explosive frontman performance from Haaland, his measured control dominated.
He created four chances – more than any other player – including a lovely ball for Foden s goal, and the midfielder also found the back of the net.
More Parker misery against City
It was a chastening afternoon for Bournemouth in Manchester, and one that further compounds Parker s coaching struggles against the champions.
This was his fifth meeting with them in the dugout and his fifth loss, having shipped 15 goals combined across those matches. Against no other team has he overseen as many games without winning, suffered as many losses or conceded as many goals.
What s next?
City will take to the road with a trip to Newcastle United on August 21, while Bournemouth host Arsenal a day earlier.
