Manchester City 4-1 Burnley: 5 Talking Points

Manchese
Manchester City overcame a 0-1 deficit to win in comprehensive style...yet again

Final score: Manchester City 4-1 Burnley

Goalscorers: Ashley Barnes 25' (Burnley), Sergio Aguero 56', 58' (Manchester City), Leroy Sane 71' (Manchester City), Bernardo Silva 82' (Manchester City)

Manchester City played host to Sean Dyche's Burnley for their 3rd round clash in the Emirates FA Cup. The Clarets put in quite the shift in the first half, and threatened to stun the world indefinitely when they opened the scoring in the 25th minute, through an Ashley Barnes blinder.

They subsequently went on to hold their ground for the entirety of the first half. They endured and parried all of City's attempts and went in at the break, leading 1-0. With much at stake in the second half, Burnley promised sustained resistance, maintaining their lead for a further 10 minutes.

Until a certain Argentinian devil by the name Sergio Aguero decided to wreak havoc, scoring a quickfire double in under 2 minutes. With that, the floodgates were wrenched apart, and City reminded us that they're never a one-man show. Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva piled on further misery far beyond Burnley's appetite, scoring late goals to end the game 4-1.

The difficulty in picking these from among so many was immense, but that being said, here are the 5 key talking points from last night's clash which saw the Citizens qualify for the 4th round of the FA Cup:


#5 No Kevin De Bruyne? No problem

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Kevin De Bruyne was only brought on in the 76th minute

Manchester City went into this game fully intent on going all guns blazing, as they fielded a full-strength (well, almost) side, with the only notable absentee being club-hero Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian was understandably given a breather and did could only watch the start from the bench. De Bruyne, who is being widely hailed as one of the best midfielders at the moment, has been instrumental in City's blitzkrieg this season, and his absence in the starting 11 would've certainly raised a few questions when Ashley Barnes put the visitors ahead in the 25th minute.

However, Burnley, as tight as they held on, could only hold on for so long. The partnership of Ilkay Gundogan and Sergio Aguero boomeranged the Clarets in a span of 90-odd seconds. Aguero scored both, while Gundogan set both up on a platter.

The German was undoubtedly one of City's best players on the night, with 2 shots, 2 assists, 3 tackles, and a passing accuracy of 95%. While a City fan would've been unhappy to see him go off, he was only removed for talismanic Kevin de Bruyne. Can't really complain, can you, City fans?

Although De Bruyne did come in the 76th for an influential cameo, City were already leading 3-1, after Leroy Sane stroked home the 3rd, after a neat exchange with David Silva. They just always have to fire on all cylinders, don't they?

Of course, the 26-year old did come on and work his magic, finding Leroy Sane with an exquisitely crafted cross, who subsequently assisted Bernardo Silva's goal that ended the game 4-1. However, City's fans and bosses will be pleased by the fact that there's no over-reliance on Kevin De Bruyne.

#4 Ashley Barnes exposed mighty Manchester City

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Ashley Barnes capitalised on a mistake to score a blinder

Going into the game, not many would've put their money on Burnley taking the lead. But take the lead, they did, and how. After missing an open header from just a few yards out earlier in the game, Ashley Barnes redeemed himself, as he smashed one past Claudio Bravo to give the visitors an unexpected lead.

It's almost as if City are so keen on goals, that they're willing to help score against themselves as well. John Stones, courtesy of an erroneous clearance, only put down the red carpet for Barnes into a one-on-one situation with Bravo.

The Englishman sprinted into the box before unleashing a shot that would've knocked King Kong out, and it met the back of the net before Bravo could think 'net', let alone blurt it out.

While City were otherwise impenetrable, Barnes went on to show that even the mighty Manchester City make mistakes. It's just down to whether you can punish them for it or not.

#3 Sergio Aguero is starting to find his rhythm

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Guess who seems to have found form again?

Kun Aguero's doing it again!

After scoring against Watford earlier this week, Sergio Aguero emphatically found his way back on the scoresheet yet again, with two rapid goals that turned the game on its head. Trailing 0-1, the Argentine found the back of the net, after being put clear on goal by a shrewd Ilkay Gundogan, who matched Aguero's movement off of a free kick, with a level of precision that would please Deadshot.

With the scores level, just over a minute later, the aforementioned duo struck once again to cruelly snuff out all hopes of a Burnley upstaging at the Etihad Stadium. Gundogan flawlessly found Aguero yet again, this time, with a jaw-dropping backheel, and the 29-year old striker calmly rounded up Nick Pope before slotting it home, to give Manchester City the lead.

Aguero was taken off in the 79th minute for an early shower and some well-deserved rest - something opposing defences might never taste if the magician, let's say, Kuntinues this way.

#2 Burnley lose last chance at silverware

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Sean Dyche and Burnley will have to go back to the drawing board

Last night's defeat to Manchester City realistically ended Burnley's last chance at silverware, with the Premier League seemingly miles out of reach. With 28 points separating them from Pep Guardiola's men, who sit pretty atop their perch, the FA Cup was arguably Sean Dyche's only potential shot at silverware this season, largely due to the unpredictability of a cup competition.

The Clarets will now have to return to Turf Moor and chart a new course of action - one with the agenda of propelling them as high up the Premier League table as possible.

While the Premier League trophy might be beyond their realms, a positive finish in the league might just give Burnley a ticket to Europe next season - something that will greatly benefit the club.

With just 7 points separating them from 5th place, Burnley still have plenty to play for.

#1 Quadruple on Pep Guardiola's mind?

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Is Pep Guardiola plotting a complete all-out siege?

On the other end of the spectrum, there's Pep Guardiola and his indomitable Manchester City side, who seem as relentless as Batman in his search for justice. The Citizens have seemed infallible in all competitions, having lost just a solitary game - against Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League - an inconsequential defeat.

While many have thrown around the idea of City matching Arsenal's Invincibles, what's more likely to be on Pep Guardiola's mind, is the idea of the quadruple. The Manchester-based outfit are quite literally fighting on all fronts, with visible opportunities to win the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, and if I may dare say, the UEFA Champions League as well.

Next up for the men in blue is their Carabao Cup semi-finals first leg clash against Bristol City - a tie from which, barring an absolute shock, most believe the Citizens will come out victorious. In the UEFA Champions League, they take on Swiss side Basel in the round of 16 - another side they're expected to be able to overcome.

Invincibles is one thing, a quadruple is another. What's really on Pep's mind?

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Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh