Man City score six times and worry about Haaland
Manchester City have temporarily stormed to the top of the Premier League table - but an injury to top scorer Erling Haaland dampened the triple winners' joy after their 6:1 (3:0) win over AFC Bournemouth. The 23-year-old had to be substituted at the break with an injury. It remains to be seen whether Haaland will be available for Tuesday's Champions League game against Young Boys Bern.
The attacker "twisted his ankle. We didn't want to take any risks because he didn't feel well," said team manager Pep Guardiola. Haaland will "maybe be back on Tuesday, but maybe not until next Sunday. Hopefully that's not a big problem." City play Chelsea FC next Sunday.
Against Bournemouth, Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva and Manuel Akanji scored in just seven minutes in the first half to give City a comfortable lead. Phil Foden, who came on as a substitute for Haaland, Silva again and Nathan Ake made it even clearer. It was City's fourth success in a row in the league.
Little breathing space for ten Hag
Meanwhile, local rivals Manchester United secured a much-needed win thanks to a last-minute goal. The struggling English club with a long tradition won happily 1:0 (0:0) at Fulham FC. Captain Bruno Fernandes scored in stoppage time against Fulham's German keeper Bernd Leno. The success also gave Erik ten Hag some breathing space, as the pressure on the United team manager had increased after two recent defeats in competitive matches.
FC Bayern's Champions League opponents had already made headlines before the game. Striker Marcus Rashford, who was absent against Fulham with an injury, had to apologize for a nightclub visit after the 3-0 defeat in the derby against City last Sunday. "It's unacceptable, I've told him, he's apologized and that's it. The rest is an internal matter," said ten Hag.
Arsenal suffered a setback in the battle for top spot. At Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund's group opponents in the premier class, the Gunners lost with international Kai Havertz. Anthony Gordon scored the goal of the day in the 64th minute.
Despite Manchester City's impressive victory and move to the league's summit, the absence of Erling Haaland in their upcoming Champions League game against Young Boys Bern is a concern for manager Josep Guardiola. Meanwhile, Manchester United, Manchester City's local rivals, secured a crucial 1-0 win against Fulham, relieving pressure on manager Erik ten Hag, following two consecutive defeats.
Source: www.ntv.de
