Raheem Sterling scores hat trick vs. Bournemouth in his 'best game' with City

Raheem Sterling briefly silenced his critics after bagging a hat trick 37 minutes into Manchester City's 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth.

Despite missing three important contributors to injury, Sterling led the charge for City when his hat trick saw the hosts take a commanding 4-1 lead.

"That was my best game so far for City - I had chances and I finished them so I'm happy," Sterling admitted on the team's website. "The movement up front and the passing from midfield has been really good in the last few games and we've been playing some good, free-flowing stuff.

"We have to put this game to one side now and look towards Sevilla on Wednesday and Manchester United next weekend, but our focus for now is purely on Wednesday."

The 21-year-old became the first English player to score a hat trick for City during the Premier League era.