Burnley 0-2 Manchester City: 5 talking points as Cityzens pick up comfortable away win | Premier League 2020-21 

Burnley lost to Manchester City on Wednesday
Burnley lost to Manchester City on Wednesday

First-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling helped Manchester City to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.

Manager Pep Guardiola made five changes from the side that dispatched Sheffield United last weekend, with Raheem Sterling, John Stones and Joao Cancelo among those drafted back into the starting line-up.

Just like that narrow victory over the Blades, Manchester City went ahead inside the first 10 minutes through Gabriel Jesus.

Nick Pope saved a shot by Bernardo Silva, and the Brazil international was on hand to convert the rebound in the 3rd minute.

Raheem Sterling made the visitors more comfortable when he tapped in an Ilkay Gundogan cross from six yards to give them a 2-0 lead.

The second half was practically played in Burnley's half, although Manchester City failed to fashion too many clear-cut chances.

They thought they had a third goal when Riyad Mahrez converted from close range, but the Algerian was pulled up for a very marginal offside decision.

The victory sends Manchester City three points clear at the summit and here, we shall be having a rundown of five talking points from the game.

#5 Burnley's poor run of form against Manchester City continues

Burnley have not won any of their last 13 games against Manchester City in all competitions
Burnley have not won any of their last 13 games against Manchester City in all competitions

Burnley came into this clash having not won any of their last 13 games against Manchester City in all competitions.

In that time, they have lost 12 and drawn just one against the Mancunians, while they have scored just one goal in their last eight games, conceding 30.

Their last victory over Manchester City came in a 1-0 home win in March 2015, and you have to stretch back to October 1974 to get another win for the Clarets.

The last time both sides met in November, Sean Dyche's side were on the wrong end of a 5-0 whitewash, and it looked like another thrashing was on the cards just three minutes in.

However, that proved not to be the case, as a combination of dogged defending plus poor decision-making by the visitors ensured that the scoreline ended respectably.

#4 Defensive solidity acting as the catalyst for Manchester City's title surge

Manchester City have been defensively solid
Manchester City have been defensively solid

The partnership of John Stones and Ruben Dias has proven to be nearly impenetrable so far, and the pair once again proved their mettle against Burnley.

The hosts rarely threatened Ederson in the Manchester City goal to ensure that he kept a fifth consecutive clean sheet in the Premier League.

It continued a fine run of defensive solidity that has seen the Cityzens concede just three goals in their last 12 games in all competitions, with nine clean sheets kept in the process.

The absence of key players like Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero means that goals currently come at a premium for Manchester City. However, the solidity of their defence could well prove to be the difference in their quest to reclaim the league title.

#3 Rampant Manchester City pick up 13th consecutive victory

Manchester City have won 13 consecutive games in all competitions
Manchester City have won 13 consecutive games in all competitions

It seems like eons now but just a little over a month ago, there were many who questioned Manchester City's title credentials.

The Etihad outfit had won just five of their opening 13 Premier League games. And a 1-1 draw at home to bottom-placed West Brom in the middle of December left them floundering in 6th-spot, five points off the summit.

However, as the saying goes, form is temporary, while class is permanent. Manchester City have shown their class with rampant performances since that frustrating night in December.

A run of nine consecutive wins in the Premier League has seen them surge to the summit of the table with a three-point advantage.

Their game in hand firmly installs them as favorites in the title race and at this point, the league is practically theirs to lose.

It is not just in the Premier League where they have shown their class. A run of 13 consecutive wins in all competitions has seen Manchester City progress to the final of the League Cup as well as the fourth round of the FA Cup.

This is a club record in regular time - with an extra-time win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in October 2017 helping them to an 18-game winning run.

This run is made all the more impressive considering that the club have missed several key players at different points. In this form, it is extremely difficult to stop Manchester City from achieving their objectives.

#2 Poor Burnley fail to turn up on home soil

Ederson was untested
Ederson was untested

Burnley's disappointing record against Manchester City has already been touched on but that should have given the club added impetus to get something from this game.

Sean Dyche's side have made a name for themselves as one of the most difficult sides to break down in the Premier League, making them a bogey team for the big teams.

However, the hosts failed to apply themselves against Manchester City and can consider themselves lucky to have conceded just two goals.

Their midfield was practically non-existent, while Jay Rodriguez and Matej Vydra were relatively spectators.

Burnley fashioned just two shots in the game, with none hitting the target. This makes it consecutive games that the Lancashire outfit have struggled to make a mark against a big side, with a similarly dour display coming against Chelsea last weekend.

#1 Gabriel Jesus takes his opportunity

Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring

Last January made it four years since Gabriel Jesus joined Manchester City from Palmeiras. In that time, the Brazil international has played a secondary role in the successes enjoyed by the club.

Despite his respectable tally in front of goal, the jury is still out on whether he can be counted upon to lead the City line in the eventuality of Sergio Aguero's inevitable departure.

The Argentina international is a bonafide world-class striker, and replacing his goals is no mean feat. However, Gabriel Jesus has the ability to potentially lead the line.

With Aguero currently sidelined by illness, the 23-year-old was handed consecutive starts against Sheffield United and Burnley. He opened the scoring in both games to send a statement of intent to his manager.

His all-around game at Turf Moor was also impressive, and he was unlucky to have been denied an assist by a farcical VAR decision.

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