Manchester City maintained their grip on top spot in the Premier League with Raheem Sterling scoring his first professional hat-trick in a 5-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.
Even without the injured Sergio Aguero – who scored five goals in 22 minutes last time out against Newcastle United – City showed no sign of bluntness in attack, with England forward Sterling starring with his first-half treble and Wilfried Bony scoring twice.
Bony, who replaced Aguero up front, set up Sterling for the opening goal in before capitalising on a mistake from Adam Federici to add one of his own in the 11th minute.
Bournemouth pulled one back through Glenn Murray in the 22nd minute, but Sterling was on target again before the half-hour mark.
City, who were also without injured duo Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva and had captain Vincent Kompany among their substitutes, hit the bar through Kevin De Bruyne before Sterling made the most of some dreadful Bournemouth defending to complete his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side took their foot off the gas in the second half, but Bony rounded off a comprehensive victory with a smart finish in the 89th minute as City kept their two-point advantage over Manchester United at the top before Arsenal face Watford in Saturday’s late game.