Manchester City continued their H2H dominance against Burnley, beating them 5-1 in the Premier League (PL) at the Etihad Stadium, securing a 14th successive victory against the Clarets in all competitions.
Burnley are a side famed for their defensive capabilities, so it could perhaps have been deemed a little unsurprising to see City struggle in the final third in the very early stages. But given the Clarets’ wretched record on this ground of late, those struggles were never likely to last.
Even after a tame start, City found a route to goal inside 15 minutes, and they were given a helping hand on the way when some uncharacteristically slack defending allowed Jeremy Doku to fire an effort on goal before Maxime Esteve turned the rebound into his own goal. Scott Parker’s men were visibly rocked by that goal but managed to weather a City storm to reach the half-hour mark just a goal behind.
They had Martin Dúbravka to thank for that, as the Clarets stopper made a stunning save to prevent Doku from rounding off a rapid City counter. At just 1-0 down, Burnley were well in the game, and their bold approach eventually paid dividends around 10 minutes before the break.
After pinching the ball off City high up the pitch, Quilindschy Hartman’s delivery was swept into the far corner by Jaidon Anthony, who’s now clocked up four goals for the season. Erling Haaland missed a chance to put the hosts back into the lead before the break, leaving Pep Guardiola with plenty to ponder over half-time as his side once again continues to underwhelm.
Those expecting a City response after the break were so nearly stunned when it was in fact Burnley who started the brighter, and they almost took a shock lead when Lyle Foster’s deflected effort whistled inches wide of the post.
Chances continued to fall Burnley’s way, with Hartman next to try his luck as his stinging drive forced a smart stop out of Gianluigi Donnarumma. Parker’s men paid the ultimate price for those missed opportunities shortly after the hour mark when City retook the lead.
It wasn’t the type of goal football fans have come to expect of a Guardiola team, but the City boss didn’t care as Matheus Nunes reacted quickest to volley home a loose ball inside the area.
That goal seemed to spark the Cityzens into life, and they swiftly doubled their advantage when, for the second time of the afternoon, Esteve put through his own net, turning a Nunes delivery past a desperate Dúbravka. Burnley’s race was run at that point, and despite once again giving a solid account of themselves, they had nothing to show for their efforts.
Victory was a welcome relief for Guardiola, whose side have now won 23 of their last 25 PL games against promoted sides after Haaland rounded off the victory in the closing minutes by netting a brace.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)