It looks like Pep Guardiola has unearthed another gem in winger Jeremy Doku.
The Belgian inspired Manchester City to a 6-1 rout of Bournemouth on Saturday as the defending champions moved to the top of the Premier League.
“Jeremy was fantastic. Sometimes you need individual quality to open up the game,” City defender Nathan Ake said. “He’s not shy to show his abilities, he wants to take everyone on even in training. He’s so difficult to mark and he’s going to be important this season.”
Signed from Rennes for around $70 million in the off-season, Doku has had to be patient at times in a City team studded with stars, but has usually delivered when given a chance.
He showcased his quality against Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium by scoring one goal and creating another four as City extended its 100% record at home this season.
Doku opened the scoring in the 30th minute and then set up Bernardo Silva to double City’s lead in the 33rd.
He thought he’d scored his second four minutes later, but replays showed the goal-bound effort deflected off Manuel Akanji before beating Bournemouth goalkeeper Andrei Radu for 3-0.
In the second half Doku played in substitute Phil Foden to fire City’s fourth in the 64th and also provided the pass for Bernardo to score his second of the match in the 83rd.
Bournemouth substitute Luis Sinisterra scored a consolation for the visitors between those goals in the 74th.
Ake completed the rout with a header in the 88th.
Victory meant City provisionally moved above Tottenham and Arsenal at the top of the league.
Arsenal played Newcastle later Saturday, needing a big win to go above City. Tottenham, which led the standings at the start of the day, plays Chelsea on Monday.
Doku was signed following the departure of Riyad Mahrez in the off-season and has given Guardiola another attacking option when resting his more established players like Jack Grealish and Foden, who were both named on the bench for the match.
“Normally there are a lot of wingers that go inside. This guy, you don’t know what he’s going to do,” Guardiola said.
This was Doku’s sixth league start of the season and he was too much for Bournemouth to handle with his speed and trickery repeatedly opening up Andoni Iraola’s team.
His goal came after a quick passing exchange with Rodri in the box before he curled a first time shot into the corner of Radu’s net.
He then showed his quick feet to beat Chris Mepham in the area and cross for Bernardo to score City’s second.
A long-range effort made it 3-0 but after Doku raced away in celebration, it became clear Akanji had unintentionally got the last touch.
Doku had the vision to find Foden in the box after the break for the England forward to score and then he set Bernardo free for his second after Sinisterra pulled one back for Bournemouth.
Ake stooped to head in City’s sixth after substitute Oscar Bobb’s cross.
The loss was Bournemouth’s seventh of the season and leaves it one place and one point above the relegation zone.
“I don’t think the game should’ve ended the way it did, the punishment was too severe,” Iraola said. “Almost every time they had a clear chance they scored.”
