CHERRIES pulled no surprises as they fell to a heavy defeat away at the reigning champions, Manchester City.

First-half goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden were more than enough for Pep Guardiola’s side, before an own goal from Jefferson Lerma made it a 4-0 win for the hosts.

With Jordan Zemura and Dominic Solanke missing due to COVID and injury respectively, Scott Parker was forced into a total of three changes, also swapping out Phil Billing for Lewis Cook, whilst Jack Stacey and Ryan Christie were handed their first starts of the campaign.

City started the game as they meant to go on, immediately hemming Cherries into their own box.

The hosts earnt four corners in the opening five minutes, such was their dominance, coming closest via their first set-piece that saw Ake flash a header narrowly wide.

Parker’s side dealt relatively well with the constant pressure, but the home team were able to constantly recycle possession and maintain their control of both the ball and the game.

Riyad Mahrez proved a constant worry for Stacey on the left side of Cherries’ defence, and it was not too long before the Algerian had ensured the makeshift left-back’s name was in the referee’s book.

Stacey’s scythed down the City winger, who dusted himself off to take the free-kick out wide. In a crossing position, Mahrez instead aimed at goal, only to be denied by Mark Travers who would not be caught off guard.

Travers was again called upon when Phil Foden was fed through on goal, the Irishman spreading himself wide to deny the England international.

With the game effectively divided into four sections due to the cooling breaks introduced to deal with the sweltering heat, Cherries appeared to be holding on for the first quarter of the game.

However, they would be undone shortly before the game’s first pause, with Erling Haaland somehow weighting a perfect ball to Gundogan despite being off-balance and surrounded by Cherries players.

Supplied with a world-class pass by his teammate, Gundogan showed quality himself, coolly planting the ball into the far corner, leaving Travers with no chance.

After sitting deep in a low block, Cherries started to venture forward with more regularity following both the opener and the first drinks break.

Kieffer Moore’s height served as an outlet on the break for Cherries, and the Welshman battled to carve a chance out for Ben Pearson.

Pearson’s hard drive was well dealt with by Ederson, who quickly launched a counter attack that resulted in the game’s second goal.

Foden found De Bruyne, who quickly bypassed the Cherries defence before using the outside of his foot to stroke the ball beyond Travers.

The third goal of the game came from a similar scenario, Cherries caught high up the pitch by a ruthless home side.

This time Christie’s cross into the box was dealt with by Ake, allowing City to spring up the other end of the pitch.

De Bruyne and Foden combined again, with the Belgian slipping in his younger teammate. Foden’s bobbling effort just about overcame Travers, leaving Cherries three goals behind heading into the break.

City continued their dominance into the second half, leaving Cherries once again playing in their own half for the majority of proceedings.

Travers was again well positioned to deny De Bruyne at the near post with his legs, before making a full stretch save to deny Mahrez from outside the box.

Content with their three goals City eased off slightly after the hour mark, giving their guests some respite.

Haaland came close when he was slipped in by half-time sub Jack Grealish, but the Norwegian scuffed his effort, dragging it beyond the post.

It would be his final action of the game, as he was promptly substituted following the miss.

In the closing stages Mahrez still proved a threat down the right-wing, his cross-cum-shot narrowly missing both man and goal.

However, City’s fourth would not be far away, with Lerma inadvertently turning the ball into his own net following a cross from Joao Cancelo.

Marcos Senesi was summoned from the bench to make his Cherries debut, replacing Marcus Tavernier, and the latest signing had little to do as the game eventually elapsed.

Cherries: Travers, Smith, Mepham, Lerma, Kelly, Stacey, Pearson, Cook (Billing, 63), Tavernier (Senesi, 80), Christie (Stanislas, 63), Moore (Lowe, 90)

Unused subs: Neto (g/k), Hill, Marcondes, Dembele, Senesi, Anthony

Booked: Smith, Mepham, Stacey

City: Ederson, Walker, Ake, Dias (Stones, 63), Cancelo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden (Grealish, h-t), Gundogan (Silva, 63), Mahrez (Lewis, 82), Haaland (Alvarez, 73)

Unused subs: Ortega (g/k), Delap, Mbete, Wilson-Esbrand