'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester City made quick work of Burnley in their EFL Cup fourth round fixture as they registered a 3-0 away win at Turf Moor despite a slow start to the game. Raheem Sterling scored twice starting as a striker while summer signing Ferran Torres opened his account with the third goal of the game.
Burnley's in-form goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell did his best to keep his side in the game in the first half, making as many as three crucial saves before Sterling got the breakthrough in the 39th minute.
After City's 5-2 humiliation at the Etihad by Leicester City, Pep Guardiola took no chances against the Clarets and fielded a very strong squad, ultimately getting the desired results. There were a lot of positives to take from the game for the visitors while it's clear that Burnley desperately need some reinforcements in the absence of their star players due to injuries.
Let's now take a look at the five talking points from the game as Manchester City sealed a quarter-final spot for themselves in the EFL Cup.
#5 Aymeric Laporte's presence bolstered Manchester City's defence
Aymeric Laporte played the full 90 minutes on Wednesday after making it to the bench in the previous fixture. His addition to the starting XI had a huge impact in the defensive third as he helped weed out opposition passes before they made it to any Burnley player in Manchester City's box. The France international confidently led the backline to their first clean sheet of the campaign in his first start of the season.
He made two interceptions and three clearances in the game while also winning three aerial duels against two strong Burnley forwards. His performance showed what Manchester City missed sorely against Leicester, and one can only hope that the player keeps up his fitness level to contribute to his club's success this term.
#4 Burnley need to add some depth to their squad
Burnley welcomed James Tarkowski and Ashley Barnes back into the squad in Wednesday's fixture but a lack of depth in their squad meant a lot of the same players are being forced to play the full 90 minutes every single game. This is only going to add to their already-lengthy injury list.
In Bailey Peacock-Farrell, they have a great backup goalkeeper who impressed with his display against Manchester City by making as many as five saves in the game. Tarkowski's return to the fold will make them solid defensively but it is in the midfield that they were very sloppy.
They lost possession, lacked concentration and failed to offer any resistance against Manchester City's quick counter-attacks. They will be hoping to get back to full strength soon or they are in for a tough couple of months ahead.
Also See: Top 5 Premier League players with most assists in a single season
#3 Ferran Torres seems to have found his rhythm at Manchester City
Ferran Torres started in his second consecutive EFL Cup game on Wednesday and produced a scintillating display on the left side of Manchester City's four-man midfield. He impressed with his control of the ball, first touch and pace.
He grabbed the assist for Sterling's second goal of the night and later went on to score his first goal for Manchester City with a cool finish past Peacock-Farrell in the 65th minute.
There are two takeaways from his performances. One, he can give serious competition to Phil Foden for a spot in Premier League games. Two, his natural ability to play in the advanced midfield role on the left will allow Sterling to move into central positions and fill in for the injured Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.
#2 Should VAR be allowed in all EFL Cup fixtures?
As per current rules, VAR is to be used only in the semi-finals and final of the EFL Cup and in the fixtures leading up to these stages, the referee's decision will be final. Against Manchester City, Sean Dyche's men had a few penalty claims dismissed by the officials, and he later claimed in the post-match interview that they deserved to be awarded two penalties.
In just three gameweeks, there have been 20 penalties awarded in the Premier League this season, and they might play a decisive role in a lot of games to come. VAR has come in handy during penalty calls, and it is time for the EFL Cup to include it in all of its games, at least at the venues where the technology is available.
Having said that, even if the penalties were awarded, there's no guarantee that they would've changed the outcome of the game as Manchester City would've hit back even twice as hard after conceding a goal. However, it would have at least given Burnley a chance to fight back that's for sure.
#1 Raheem Sterling shows he can play as a lone striker
Raheem Sterling had the best game of the 2020-21 campaign so far. After struggling to adjust in the central striker's role in the last few games, he came out with flying colours on Wednesday.
The English forward was involved in all the three goals as he bagged a brace and also picked up the assist for Torres' goal in the 65th minute. It seemed that Pep Guardiola had given the 25-year-old the freedom to operate as he saw fit, and that allowed him to play to his abilities.
He is not a traditional striker and cannot be considered an out-and-out replacement for Aguero or Jesus. However, his goalscoring instincts have developed a lot under Guardiola and combined with his raw pace, he can very well fulfil the responsibilities of a lone striker until the regular strikers can rejoin the squad.
Also See: 10 best wingers in European football this season
