Records continued to tumble at the feet of Erling Braut Haaland as Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 4-1 thumping of a spirited Bournemouth side at the Vitality Stadium.
The Norwegian powerhouse became City's highest goalscorer in a single Premier League campaign with a 27th strike on the South coast, complementing efforts from Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and a Chris Mepham own goal.
The Cherries would bag a late consolation through Jefferson Lerma - which is no less than their courageous performance deserved - but there was no quelling Pep Guardiola's fired-up juggernaut.
Having witnessed Arsenal go five points clear at the top by beating Leicester City, Man City needed no added incentive to return to winning ways at the Vitality Stadium, and it took just 15 minutes for the deadlock to be broken.
Following a strong challenge by Rico Lewis to win the ball back, City progressed infield and Ilkay Gundogan sent in a cross to Foden, whose advance was thwarted by Neto's outstretched leg.
However, a blocked Haaland shot fell kindly for Alvarez, who was in the right place at the right time to poke home, and the goal was confirmed following a brief VAR check.
Nevertheless, the Cherries were not afraid to attack Man City when the opportunity presented itself, but the clinical champions made it two on the 29-minute mark through Haaland.
Once again, Gundogan was the architect - sending in a cross from the left which Foden poked across goal for Haaland, who duly converted for his 27th top-flight goal of the season.
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Haaland's strike saw him break Sergio Aguero's 2014-15 record of the most goals for City in a single Premier League season, but Bournemouth were not throwing in the towel, and Adam Smith sent a thunderbolt towards goal in the 37th minute, which was blocked by Ruben Dias.
Bournemouth's valour would continue to count for nought, though, and Foden made it three for the visitors in the 44th minute, latching onto a careless pass from Philip Billing and firing home from 12 yards.
Within just six minutes of the second half, City had their fourth, as a sweeping City move down the right ended with Alvarez chesting the ball down and sending a half-volley towards goal, which Chris Mepham only helped on its way into the back of the net.
There would be few heart-in-mouth moments for City forthwith, but a few may have cut nervous figures following a major goalmouth scramble in Ederson's box in the 66th minute, where a Dominic Solanke effort was ultimately blocked by Kalvin Phillips.
Gary O'Neil's side undoubtedly deserved a goal for their efforts, and they would wipe out City's clean sheet in the 83rd minute, as Dias's poor clearance from Jordan Zemura's cross fell kindly for Lerma to take a touch and volley home into the roof of the net.
Second-placed City have now cut the gap to leaders Arsenal - who have a game in hand - back down to two points, and Guardiola's side now prepare for Tuesday's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Bristol City.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth stay 19th in the rankings after dropping below the dotted line earlier on Saturday, and their next fixture is a challenging trip to Arsenal next Saturday.
Ben Knapton
