PEP WATCH: The manager takes his seat at the Etihad.
PROBING: Sergio Agüero looks to pierce Bournemouth's defensive line.
EL MAGO: David Silva in action on his return to the side.
King Kev: City's midfield maestro patrols the middle of the park.
BULLET HEADER: Sergio Agüero breaks the deadlock in style.
ON TARGET: Sergio Agüero wheels away after putting City in front.
100 CLUB: Sergio Agüero celebrates scoring his centenary goal at the Etihad Stadium.
ON THE BREAK: Leroy Sané races away from Bournemouth's Nathan Aké.
RAHEEM THE DREAM: City's no.7 finds the back of the net for the seventh time in five appearances against Bournemouth.
AT THE DOUBLE: City celebrate going two ahead against Bournemouth.
CALM 'KEEPER: Ederson was been impressive on the ball against Bournemouth.
HARRIER: Ilkay Gundogan battles for possession with Jordon Ibe.
SUBLIME SERGIO: City's no.10 finds the back of the net for the second time this afternoon.
GOAL MACHINE: Sergio Agüero celebrates his second of the game.
CALM AS YOU LIKE: Danilo slots home for his first goal in City blue!
Manchester City continue to be linked with new players as we edge closer to the January transfer window.
Pep Guardiola’s side face Bournemouth later today as we look to make it 17 consecutive Premier League wins – but the back pages are dominated by talk of new arrivals.
Martin Blackburn, writing in the Sun, says City want to sign three players over the next 18 months in order to finalise Guardiola’s squad.
He says Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal tops the Club’s wishlist, with a defensive midfielder and a centre-back also high priorities.
“Pep Guardiola wants to sign Alexis Sanchez and two more players to complete his Manchester City revolution — but is happy to play a waiting game," Blackburn writes.
“The Etihad boss’ transfer blueprint for the next 18 months involves bringing in one forward, one defensive midfielder and one centre-half.
READ: John Stones returns to training
PICTURES: Silva hands Pep boost
“But Fabian Delph’s outstanding form for the runaway Premier League leaders has persuaded Pep to ditch plans to sign another left-back.
“Sanchez is the attacking player City want, although Pep’s preference is to wait until the summer to land the Arsenal superstar.”
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The Independent believe a centre-back is City’s main concern, with Miguel Delaney reporting that Virgil van Dijk could be targeted in January.
“Manchester City’s main transfer target this January will be a centre-half, with Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk currently the top option, although the club also want to sign a number-six and a forward - still likely Alexis Sanchez - over the next six months,” Delaney writes.
“Both Pep Guardiola and director of football Txiki Begiristain met with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak when the latter flew in at the weekend, sitting ahead of the 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur to talk about the next 18 months of planning.
“While their ongoing interest in Sanchez was discussed, it is understood that Guardiola is now no longer so intent on signing the Chilean this season, as he is content with the chemistry and integration of his attack.”
That’s all for this morning’s roundup. Stay with us throughout the day as we bring you live and comprehensive coverage of the game against Bournemouth.
It seems faintly ludicrous in many respects that the future of a player who claimed his fifteenth and sixteenth goals of the campaign, and 100th and 101st at the Etihad Stadium, on an afternoon when Manchester City chalked up a seventeenth successive Premier League win, could be the subject of so much debate.
For all the talk of Sergio Aguero being disillusioned under Pep Guardiola, the Argentina striker remains one of football’s most reliable goal machines and if the likely arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal does bring his future to a head, the City manager was adamant he will not be the one to determine it.
“I respect Sergio a lot, all he has done, what he does, what he will do in the future, he’s a legend,” Guardiola said when asked about the latest reports Aguero could leave next summer. “He will decide absolutely everything about his life, and his future, and I am delighted with him. I am so happy to have him here.
“I was a football player and I understand when players are substituted or don’t play they are sad and upset. I try to have the best relationship as possible with my players. I understand completely when they are upset but sometimes I think Gabriel deserves to play too. The important thing is the respect between each other - don’t be happy with me, that’s not a problem. The most important thing, and our secret, is they have amazing relations between them. The locker room with the players and staff is a dream to go and train with them every day. That’s most important – when they respect each other. The other thing I completely understand the feelings.”
Christmas came early for Manchester City.
The Blues began the festive fixture schedule with a 4-0 win at home to Bournemouth to go 14 points clear in the Premier League.
Sergio Aguero scored his 100th goal at the Etihad when he converted Fernandinho's cross to give City a half-time lead.
Raheem Sterling added his 16th goal of the season when he doubled the lead early in the second-half with a smart finish at the near post.
Aguero bagged his brace with another header as he met Bernardo Silva's cross, while substitute Danilo scored his first goal for the club late on.
City are still unbeaten in the competition having won 17 matches in a row.
Vincent Kompany returned to the line-up after missing the midweek trip to Leicester while Pep Guardiola also named David Silva in the starting eleven.
Scroll down to see how all the action unfolded from the Etihad.
