Burnley

Burnley

Premier League • England

Landmark Gundogan strike helps see off toothless Burnley as Man City throw down gauntlet

Kevin de Bruyne Raheem Sterlin Phil Foden Manchester City 2022 TEAMtalk1

Goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan gave Manchester City a comfortable 2-0 victory over Burnley and moved them back to the top of the table.

The duo struck in the first half as City dominated a Burnley side seemingly bent on damage limitation. Pep Guardiola’s only gripe might be that they should have scored more but they were totally dominant throughout.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche gave a first start of the season to defender Kevin Long, who replaced the suspended Nathan Collins.

Jack Cork came in for the benched Maxwel Cornet in the only other change from the side that lost to Brentford last time out.

City chief Guardiola changed three of his starting XI from the side that beat Southampton in the FA Cup. Nathan Ake replaced John Stones in defence while Ederson was back in goal in place of Zack Steffen.

Phil Foden was given the nod in attack to replace Gabriel Jesus. The Citizens knew they had to respond after Liverpool’s earlier victory over Watford.

The Clarets lined up with five across the midfield, hoping to thwart the visitors’ attacking threat. But it took just five minutes for the champions to take the lead through De Bruyne.

Raheem Sterling found the Belgium international just inside the box who showed his class with a superb finish past Nick Pope.

City continued to dominate, with Sterling causing havoc down the right flank. He created a chance for Rodri on nine minutes and two minutes later the Spaniard wasted another opportunity from the centre of the area.

Guardiola’s men were totally dominant and it was no surprise when the second goal came on 22 minutes. And it was Sterling who provided the ammunition, with his second assist of the game.

The England ace found Gundogan, who gave Pope no chance with a deflected effort. The goal saw the 31-year-old become the highest-scoring German in Premier League history.

A third goal before the break looked like coming and Sterling should have added his name to the score sheet on 42 minutes. But the winger’s volleyed effort, with Pope stranded out of his goal, failed to hit the target.

City enjoyed 80 per cent possession during the first 45 minutes while Burnley failed to register a shot on target.

Dyche made a change at the break as Cornet replaced Dwight McNeil. But it was the away side that enjoyed the first chance of the second half.

Joao Cancelo picked out Foden with a cross from the left but Pope was equal to the England star’s back-heel.

City stay in control

The interval seemed to have no effect on the match, with City picking up where they left off. They piled pressure on the Clarets goal, with Gundogan and Kyle Walker both trying their luck from the edge of the area.

Raheem Sterling Wout Weghorst Man City Burnley 2022 TEAMtalk1

Cornet gave the home fans something to cheer about when forcing Ake into a goal line clearance on the hour mark. However the flag went up for offside.

Jesus came on for Foden on 64 minutes and should have made it 3-0 five minutes later. Another excellent Sterling cross was deflected just over the target by the Brazilian.

With 20 minutes left on the watch, Jack Cork gave way to Jay Rodriguez for Burnley. And the 32-year-old finally tested Ederson with an effort from the edge of the box.

However, the Brazilian hardly had to move to deal with the effort. Jesus then struck the post from inside the box before curling the rebound just wide of the upright.

The South American also shot wide of the target as the match drew to a conclusion. But it was another thoroughly professional performance by the north-west giants and sets up next weekend’s Liverpool clash nicely.