Fans send clear message to Bernardo
Often, when a player openly admits they want to leave a club, the fans will quickly turn on them. Not in the case of Bernardo Silva and Manchester City fans, in the week where Bernardo admitted he doesn't know if he will leave the Etihad for Barcelona. Pep Guardiola doesn't know either and benched Bernardo for the second game in a row.
However, when Bernardo was introduced in the second half, the Etihad rose to sing his chant on repeat, and the biggest roar of the afternoon (barring goals) was to welcome Bernardo onto the pitch, with every touch cheered. At full-time, Bernardo clapped all four stands, gave his shirt to a fan, and was the last player off the pitch to more warm applause. Guardiola doesn't want him to leave, and it's abundantly clear the fans are desperate for him to stay, too.
Haaland responds to Guardiola instruction
On Friday, Pep Guardiola told Erling Haaland that he doesn't want his strikers to simply wait in the box to score goals, and that they should be playing an active part in City's build-up. It was an instruction buried in a longer answer over how Haaland could improve, and it seems the striker was listening closely.
READ MORE: Man City player ratings as Kevin De Bruyne runs Bournemouth ragged
On 17 minutes, Haaland dropped deep to collect the ball from Ilkay Gundogan, held off two challenges, turned, and returned the ball to Gundogan as he was dragged to the ground to register a first assist for City. For the Blues' second, he put enough pressure on two defenders to win back possession, and he was generally far more involved in the dirty work than in his first two appearances. It was exactly what Guardiola asked for just a day earlier.
De Bruyne still the main man
The vendors outside the Etihad were doing a roaring trade selling new Erling Haaland scarves and flags, and the striker got the biggest cheer from fans inside the Etihad when the team was read out. But as soon as the game began, Kevin De Bruyne made sure he showed the City faithful he is still the main man.
An early whipped cross showed his intent, and after Gundogan's goal, this became the De Bruyne show. His goal was a brilliant solo reminder of his ability with the ball at his feet, and his assist for Phil Foden was a display of his vision. Haaland might be the new star attraction, but De Bruyne isn't letting him take all the adoration just yet.
Walker's new role continues
Kyle Walker has played as an inverted full-back before, although maybe not as intentional or as obvious as the last two games. He joined Cancelo in defensive midfield at West Ham, but was alone alongside Rodri against Bournemouth, picking up loose balls and often looking for Riyad Mahrez on the right.
It's a testament to his year-on-year improvement that Walker is able to fulfil such a technical role after years of being pigeon-holed as a pacey right-back. But Guardiola has seen something in him these last couple of years and is seeing the results at the start of the campaign in midfield.
Ake's grip on centre-back strengthens
Nathan Ake's confidence, and form, is growing with every game as he continues to take advantage of the absence of others this summer. He said this week that he doesn't feel that his centre-back spot is his to lose at the moment, although fans may disagree on current evidence.
Against Bournemouth, he cut out multiple counter-attacking attempts with an impressive turn of pace and reading of the game, and even popped up in the opposition box to have a few chances on goal himself. When John Stones came on, it was for Ruben Dias, rather than Ake, suggesting the Dutchman could be top of the centre-back pecking order for the first time.
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