Manchester City returned to winning form with a resounding 5-1 victory over newly-promoted Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, though the contest was far tighter than the scoreline suggests.
City struck first in the 12th minute when Maxime Estève inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, but Vincent Kompany’s Burnley showed admirable resilience. Their persistence was rewarded shortly before halftime when Jaidon Anthony finished smartly in the 38th minute to level the match and briefly silence the champions.
The second half, however, belonged to Pep Guardiola’s side. Matheus Nunes restored City’s lead in the 61st minute with a thumping volley, before Estève’s misfortune deepened as he registered a second own goal just four minutes later. With Burnley reeling, City turned the screw late on. Erling Haaland, typically ruthless, netted twice in quick succession (90’, 90+3’) — first with a deft finish, then from close range — to complete the rout.
The emphatic scoreline flattered City, who had been made to work for their breakthrough until Burnley’s resistance faded. For the Clarets, moments of promise were undone by costly errors, while City’s firepower once again proved irresistible.
The victory keeps City firmly in the title conversation, while Burnley’s search for consistency in the top flight continues.
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