Wing wizard Jeremy casts his spell as Cherries are hit for six

WITH City 3-0 up at home to Bournemouth as the players headed off for halftime, you might have expected some activity on the pitch during the break.

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

THE VERDICT: CITY 6 BOURNEMOUTH 1

The match had gone exactly how everyone expected it to as the Premier League champions dominated the relegation strugglers and Jeremy Doku was instrumental in making that show on the scoreboard with a goal, an assist and a shot that cannoned in off Manu Akanji.

Yet while several Bournemouth players warmed up on their half of the pitch and another of their bench went through drills to come on immediately, the only City presence on the pitch was the ground staff.

For everyone else inside the Etihad, the game seemed over enough for Pep Guardiola to rest some of his key men and give opportunities to others. That attitude is not what has taken City to five out of the last six Premier League titles though and there was no room for complacency even in such a mismatch.

The one enforced change at the break is enough to cause City a worry, with Erling Haaland limping off at the end of the first period and being replaced by Phil Foden.

Perhaps the Norwegian would have carried on if the scoreline or the match had been different, although given it was only a day ago that Guardiola was declaring him so fit he didn't need a rest it can- not be taken as a positive to see him depart so early.

City shouldn't need him for the Champions League game in midweek against Young Boys, but head to Chelsea next weekend and their league fixtures after the international break start with three of the top five in Liverpool, Spurs, and Villa.

The chances of the Blues winning those fixtures will be significantly lower without their prolific No.9.