Man City leapfrog Bournemouth on the wings of unstoppable Haaland

Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are dragging Real Madrid and Bayern Munich toward their domestic titles - and toward the Ballon d'Or. Erling Haaland, though, is not stepping aside. The Norwegian knows his chances depend on Manchester City's success this season, and he's doing everything possible to keep Pep Guardiola’s team fighting on all fronts.

And despite Arsenal's fairytale start, City are lurking right behind - thanks, once again, to Haaland. In one of the most entertaining matches of the Premier League’s 10th round, the Norwegian striker tore Bournemouth apart, leading City to a 3-1 win and second place in the table.

Some critics had suggested that Haaland had started "slowly" this year - at least compared to his own superhuman standards. Not anymore. With November barely underway, the former Dortmund striker already has 26 goals for club and country, 13 of them in the Premier League, where he once again tops the scoring charts and sits among the favourites for another Ballon d'Or.

Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth, encouraged by their unbeaten run since late August, dared to challenge City high up the pitch - and paid the price. Trying to catch Haaland offside on halfway was football suicide. Bafode Diakite and Marcos Senesi had no chance keeping up with the Nordic beast, who brushed aside their traps with ease.

He found an unexpected ally in Ryan Cherki, making his first Premier League start since August, whose perfectly timed passes in the 17th and 33rd minutes set up two one-on-one duels with Djordje Petrovic. There was never any doubt about the outcome - Haaland buried both.

Bournemouth briefly found life through Tyler Adams' goal after a corner, though replays showed Gianluigi Donnarumma had been held back by David Brooks in the build-up.

But City soon restored order - again through Haaland - before Nico O'Reilly sealed the win on the hour mark.

Haaland almost had his hat-trick moments before half-time, denied only by Petrovic's quick reaction. Still, there was no stopping City. Three goals, three points, and one message: the champion is awake again.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 10

Saturday

Brighton - Leeds 3-0 (1-0)

/Welbeck 11, Gomez 64, 70/

Burnley - Arsenal 0-2 (0-2)

/Gyokeres 14, Rice 35/

Crystal Palace - Brentford 2-0 (1-0)

/Mateta 30, Collins 51 (og)/

Fulham - Wolverhampton 3-0 (1-0)

/Sessegnon 9, Wilson 62, Mosquera 75 (og)/

Nottingham Forest - Manchester United 2-2 (0-1)

/Gibbs-White 48, Savona 50 - Casemiro 34, Diallo 81/

Tottenham - Chelsea 0-1 (0-1)

/Pedro 34/

Liverpool - Aston Villa 2-0 (1-0)

/Salah 45+1, Gravenberch 58/

Sunday

West Ham - Newcastle 3-1 (2-1)

/Paqueta 35, Botman 45+5 og, Soucek 90+7 - Murphy 4/

Manchester City - Bournemouth 3-1 (2-1)

/Haaland 17,33, O'Riley 60 - Adams 25/

Monday

23.00: (2.85) Sunderland (3.20) Everton (2.75)

***odds are subject to change***