‘He was thҽ one making thҽ difference’ – Iraola on Man City star’s performance against Cherries

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola shared how thҽ Cherries “suffered” when dealing with Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku after thҽ Belgian ran thҽ show in a 6-1 rout at thҽ Etihad.

City’s summer signing grabbed thҽ opener before setting up City’s next four goals, Nathan Ake’s late strike thҽ only score from thҽ hosts not involving Doku.

Frequently thҽ winger tormented thҽ Cherries defence, popping up on both flanks to cause havoc in behind.

Having cost City £55.5million to prise Doku away from Stade Rennes towards thҽ end of thҽ window, thҽ 21-year-old has scored twice and provided five assists in eight Premier League appearances.

Discussing Doku’s impact, Iraola told thҽ Daily Echo: “We suffered with him in one-against-one situations, because he has both options, go inside and finish, go outside and cutback.

“I think he was thҽ one making thҽ difference, I would say, in most of thҽ good chances.”

Throughout thҽ contest Doku targeted different members of thҽ Cherries backline, being allowed freedom to probe thҽ defence from different angles.

His goal came from a one-two on thҽ edge of thҽ area, whilst his first assist saw him switch from his left-hand flank to drive down thҽ right and tee up Bernardo Silva.

Lloyd Kelly, who captained thҽ side, believed thҽ winger put Cherries “under pressure” countless times.

He explained to thҽ Daily Echo: “I think ever since he came to thҽ Premier League, he’s been on good form, and I think it’s just something that showed today, for sure.

“It’s always going to be hard coming up against thҽse top quality winger, who put you under pressure, over and over again.