Independent
Blue smoke shrouded the Etihad Stadium at kick-off. The message on the pitch, courtesy of a massive banner, had read: “This is Manchester.” If it was meant to signify the arrival of a striking superstar, an update of the “Welcome to Manchester” posters that greeted Carlos Tevez 13 years ago, Erling Haaland could not provide the finish to accompany the fanfare.
His home debut featured an assist but not a goal, and a lovely pass was perhaps proof that Pep Guardiola’s coaching can turn anyone into a creator but the virtuoso display came from Kevin de Bruyne. Haaland may yet become the Premier League’s most prolific forward but De Bruyne has had a status as its most compelling midfielder for years.
The newcomer’s two-goal league debut at West Ham had hinted at a shift in approach from Manchester City, a reversion to a more orthodox model of servicing a predatory striker, but this was a reminder they scored 99 league goals last season, many of them in games when no one even resembled a centre-forward. The goals were shared around again, with the two No 8s – positionally if not always in terms of shirt number – scoring wonderful goals and Bournemouth’s No 8, in shirt number though not his role in defence, Jefferson Lerma donating an own goal. City’s third was further testament to the way they have not always needed a centre forward, with Phil Foden scoring after the kind of run Guardiola’s wingers tend to make. For Haaland what looked perhaps the easiest game of the season could have offered the opportunity for a hat-trick. Instead, he got evidence the front man has joined an ensemble of a band.
Arguably the day’s loudest cheer greeted the introduction of Bernardo Silva, the City supporters sending a signal amid his annual flirtation with Barcelona. The Portuguese remains a favourite of Guardiola but, while doubts surround his future, he saw the players who started in his stead star and score.
Ilkay Gundogan’s previous outing at the Etihad Stadium brought the title-winning goal against Aston Villa and he again demonstrated his finishing prowess. His goal was something of a role reversal. Six days earlier, Haaland won a penalty at West Ham following an incisive ball from the German. Now the Norwegian supplied a defence-splitting pass, creating space by dragging three defenders towards him and digging out a pass as the midfielder made the kind of Lampard-esque run from deep that became his trademark two seasons ago.
The second half was a more soporific affair in the heat. Haaland skewed a shot wide from a pass by Jack Grealish, who had replaced Foden. Lerma, who had scored at the right end in victory over Aston Villa, accidentally turned in Joao Cancelo’s cross…
