Haaland Double Fires Manchester City Past Bournemouth To Extend Home Dominance

Manchester City returned to winning ways with an emphatic performance at the Etihad, easing past Bournemouth to continue their climb back into title contention. Pep Guardiola’s side, who had suffered a disappointing defeat at Aston Villa in their last league outing, have now strung together two consecutive victories — first cruising past Swansea in the Carabao Cup, and now overpowering a Bournemouth team that has been in fine form this season. City were in complete control throughout, extending their perfect Premier League home record against Bournemouth to nine wins in nine meetings. Erling Haaland was once again the difference-maker, netting twice to take his league tally to 13 goals this season. The Norwegian striker finished both chances with trademark composure after being set up by two brilliant passes from Rayan Cherki, who ran the show in midfield. Haaland’s double saw him join Robbie Fowler and Luis Suárez as only the third player to score two or more goals in four consecutive Premier League home appearances. He could have had a hat-trick but missed further opportunities before being substituted for Omar Marmoush late in the game. Young defender Nico O’Reilly added a third goal to put the result beyond doubt, driving home a precise pass from Phil Foden — who was making his 200th league appearance for the club. Rodri returned to action after a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while substitute Tijjani Reijnders also threatened with a late strike that forced a fine save from Djordje Petrovic. With Arsenal currently setting the pace in the title race, Manchester City’s sharp response after their Villa defeat suggests the champions are rediscovering the form that made them the dominant force in English football.

Read More

Matty Cash Strike Seals 1–0 Win For Aston Villa Over Manchester City At Villa Park

Aston Villa stunned Manchester City 1–0 at Villa Park on Sunday, thanks to a brilliant first-half strike from Matty Cash that sealed a memorable Premier League victory for Unai Emery’s men. The decisive goal came in the 19th minute when Cash fired home from the edge of the box after a clever corner routine from Emiliano Buendía. The full-back’s precise finish proved enough to hand Villa all three points in a tense and fiercely contested match. Manchester City, who had not suffered a defeat since their 2–1 loss to Brighton in August, struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game. Erling Haaland missed a golden chance to equalize moments after Cash’s opener and later had a late goal disallowed for offside. Aston Villa defended superbly, with centre-backs Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa standing firm to repel City’s attacks. Emiliano Martínez made a crucial save to deny Haaland in a one-on-one situation, while John McGinn came close to doubling Villa’s lead with a deflected effort on his 200th Premier League appearance. City showed more urgency after the break, but their attacking moves lacked precision. Tijjani Reijnders dragged a shot wide after a mazy run, and Savinho twice tested Villa’s defence, only for Torres to clear one effort off the line. Villa nearly added another goal when McGinn’s close-range volley was blocked from a low corner, but the hosts ultimately held firm to secure a fourth consecutive league victory and bounce back from their Europa League loss to Go Ahead Eagles. The win also extended Villa’s impressive home record — they are now unbeaten in 31 Premier League home games when scoring first since February 2023. It marked their third straight home victory over City in the competition. Matty Cash, who has now scored twice against City — his joint-best return against any opponent — was once again the hero. The only downside for Villa came when Buendía limped off injured in the first half, despite having provided the assist for the match-winning goal. The result keeps Villa firmly in the top-four conversation, while City’s title defense takes a dent after a frustrating day in front of goal.

Read More
Erling Haaland Projected to Smash Alan Shearer’s Record with 389 Premier League Goals

Erling Haaland Projected to Smash Alan Shearer’s Record with 389 Premier League Goals

Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland is on course to rewrite Premier League history. According to Sky Sports’ Between the Lines analysis, Haaland’s phenomenal scoring rate could see him reach an astonishing 389 Premier League goals, eclipsing Alan Shearer’s long-standing record of 260. The Norwegian forward continued his blistering start to the 2025/26 season with a decisive strike against Brentford on Sunday, prompting Jamie Carragher to hail him as English football’s “greatest goalscorer.” “I’ve never felt better than I do now,” Haaland told Sky Sports after the match, describing himself as being in the best form of his career. Historic Scoring Pace Haaland’s numbers are staggering. He has already netted 18 goals in 11 games this season for club and country — taking his tally to 37 goals for the calendar year. With as many as 22 matches still to play before the end of December, projections show he could finish 2025 with a career-high 57 goals. In Europe, Haaland recently became the fastest player in Champions League history to reach 50 goals — achieving the feat in just 49 appearances, smashing Ruud van Nistelrooy’s previous record of 62. Closing In on Premier League Records Domestically, Haaland’s strike against Brentford brought him to 94 goals in 104 Premier League games, putting him on the verge of becoming the quickest player to reach 100 goals, surpassing Shearer’s 125-game record. If he maintains his current strike rate and remains at Manchester City through his contract, which runs until 2034, Haaland is projected to break Shearer’s 260-goal record by September 2030 and reach 389 Premier League goals by 2034. That would make him the league’s most prolific scorer by a wide margin — rewriting the record books before his 35th birthday. Why Haaland Is Getting Even Better Beyond raw numbers, tactical shifts under Pep Guardiola have helped unleash an even more lethal version of Haaland. This season, City have adopted a more direct and counter-attacking approach, allowing Haaland to exploit space behind defenses — an area where he thrives. According to Opta data, Haaland has already scored twice from fast breaks in the league this season — double his total for all of last season. His shot and goal-ending carry metrics have also significantly improved. Guardiola praised the striker’s evolution: “He’s in the best moment. He feels like part of the club now — like it’s his.” A More Complete Player Critics once accused Haaland of being a one-dimensional “poacher,” but the 25-year-old is proving he’s far more than just a goalscorer. Comparative heat maps show Haaland dropping deeper this season, linking play, pressing from the front, and contributing defensively. He has also become a key presence at set-pieces, leading City in first defensive contacts. “He is more involved in the game — not just finishing, but in his work ethic and pressing,” Guardiola noted. A Historic Trajectory Still only 25, with nine years remaining on his contract, Erling Haaland’s trajectory points toward a once-in-a-generation legacy. Already considered by many as the Premier League’s greatest goalscorer, Haaland’s relentless form suggests his best — and his records — are yet to come.

Read More
Man City vs Man United: Premier League – team news, start time and lineups

Manchester Derby Set for High-Stakes Showdown as Guardiola and Amorim Seek Early Season Momentum

Manchester City and Manchester United are preparing for an early-season derby clash that already feels significant for both clubs. The game takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 14 at 4:30pm local time, with City and United each looking to gain traction after inconsistent starts to the season. Both teams have invested heavily in their squads, but it’s the goalkeepers who are drawing attention ahead of kickoff. City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG to replace Ederson, who recently departed for Fenerbahce. While Donnarumma could make his debut in this match, manager Pep Guardiola has indicated he won’t demand the same ball-playing style from the Italian that Ederson was known for. James Trafford has started the first three league games but may now make way. United, meanwhile, brought in Belgium’s Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, but manager Ruben Amorim confirmed Altay Bayindir will continue in goal. Andre Onana was sent on loan to Trabzonspor this week after an underwhelming spell. Amorim stated that Lammens will need time to adjust, while also calling him a long-term option for the club. City’s recent form includes back-to-back league defeats to Tottenham and Brighton, raising concerns about squad depth and cohesion. United, on the other hand, followed a loss to Arsenal with a draw against Fulham and a narrow win over Burnley, needing a late penalty from Bruno Fernandes. They also suffered a League Cup exit at the hands of fourth-tier Grimsby Town. In terms of injuries, City will be without striker Omar Marmoush, who picked up a knee injury while on international duty with Egypt. Phil Foden and John Stones are also doubts. United are missing Matheus Cunha, Diogo Dalot, and Mason Mount. With Cunha out, Benjamin Sesko is expected to lead the line for the first time since his move from RB Leipzig. This will be the 196th Manchester derby. United have the edge historically with 79 wins to City’s 61. Last season, United won the corresponding fixture at the Etihad 2-1 thanks to a late surge, and City haven’t beaten United in their last four meetings across all competitions. Both managers are feeling the pressure to deliver. Guardiola is managing a post-title era transition, while Amorim is attempting to implement a new system and culture at Old Trafford. With Champions League fixtures looming, a positive result on Sunday could be a turning point for either side.

Read More

Breaking: Eberechi Eze Fires Crystal Palace to FA Cup Victory

Crystal Palace won the first major trophy in their history as they beat Man City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday. Eberechi Eze gave the Eagles an early lead when he swooped home Daniel Munoz’s cross from the right hand side. City had a chance to level from the penalty spot, but Dean Henderson expertly saved Omar Marmoush’s effort. Daniel Munoz then had a second goal disallowed but Palace held firm to mark a memorable day.

Read More