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Manchester City’s relentless form continues as they overcame a sturdy Burnley defence to romp to another win in the Premier League. Prior to kick-off, a lot was made of how City had toyed with defences and Burnley were perhaps the team to stop them as Sean Dyche’s men stopped the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool, but boy were the presumptions put to bed!
After an entertaining game against Napoli in midweek, Pep Guardiola recalled Sergio Aguero to the starting line-up and the Argentine repaid the faith with a clinical penalty. Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane made sure the points were in the bag and with Manchester United dropping points, it was an extra special result.
Here are five talking points from the game:
#5 Sergio Aguero’s special 177th goal
The Argentine – after a terrible accident a few weeks ago – returned earlier than presumed and that alone was a massive psychological boost for the Sky Blues. After making the bench against Stoke City and Napoli, Aguero was drafted into the starting XI for the clash against Burnley earlier.
Though it was a rusty performance from the striker, his goal made sure Burnley were chasing a goal which subsequently made them be more expansive in the second half.
Though the penalty call somewhat controversial, Aguero’s goal meant he equalled Eric Brook’s record of 177 goals for the club. El Kun is still only 29 and if he stays at the club for a few more years, that’s one record no one could set their sights on anytime soon!
#4 The penalty call…
Bernardo Silva won the penalty for the opening goal of the game and the Portuguese international did receive some flak for exaggerating his fall. Referee Roger East pointed to the penalty spot straight away and though the dive made it look a bit over the top, Pope’s attempt to get the ball did impede Silva.
The Burnley players were furious with Silva’s theatrics but at the end of the day, it was a penalty. However, considering the way Silva went the extra mile to ensure his side won the spot kick, the referees in the future might mark him and be stricter in awarding penalty.
Sean Dyche’s side will be disappointed they didn’t defend it better as it brought their unbeaten away run to an end.
Dyche didn’t mince his words after the game and said, “We had one (penalty appeal) not given against Chris Wood last week for more contact than there was today.
“If I was with my kid in the garden and tripped him, he wouldn’t fall over like that, let’s put it that way.
“I am fed up talking about the amount of simulation – and I don’t know why they call it that when it’s cheating.
“There is a touch (on the player) today though, and the problem is that the rules say if there is a touch, he has to give a penalty.”
#3 Leroy Sane’s consistency
A few years ago, when Leroy Sane broke into the Schalke first team and stunned Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, there were quite a few Schalke fans who were fearful he’d be the next great academy talent to leave Gelsenkirchen for greener pastures.
In a cynical way, his inconsistency was actually a good thing for the club back then, but Manchester City, armed with money to spend, saw his raw talent and overlooked how frequently he performed on the pitch.
After a fairly low-key first season at Manchester, Sane has put in top performances week in week out so far this season and his ability coupled with the consistency is a scary prospect for opposition defenders.
While De Bruyne ran the game from midfield, Sane’s composure in the attacking third meant City made it another game with three goals as he clinically slotted a De Bruyne pass past Burnley goalkeeper Pope. His assist for Otamendi’s coupled with his goal means he has played a hand in 11 goals this season in all competitions, level with Sergio Aguero. Impressive for a 21-year old, eh?
#2 Burnley’s dogged approach should be lauded
It’s not the idea of ‘parking the bus’ that should be lauded, but more of how Burnley managed to hold Manchester City for 70 odds minutes and only conceded once. In Chris Wood, the Clarets had the ideal player who was capable enough to not only hold the ball but also test the City defence with his strength and decent pace.
There was an instance in the first half where Wood got past the duo of Walker and Otamendi only to be denied by Ederson and had it not been for his unfortunate injury, Burnley might have come away with a goal, if not a point or three.
The problem with the approach is even though you’re not always on the ball, chasing it in your own half is draining both physically and mentally, as the Burnley players found out. Two goals in two minutes effectively ended the game late in the second half, but Dyche once again made the best use of his resources.
Nothing summed up the Burnley fight more than the late burst they had in the last 10 minutes as City didn’t have it all their way.
#1 A psychological edge for Manchester City
It was a good day for the City fans as their side moved five points clear of local rivals Manchester United who were beaten by Huddersfield Town. Of course, City will have their bad patch where they will drop points, but with United already playing catch up, City have the clear advantage at the moment.
City also have the media in their favour, and though it all boils down to who picks up the three points, Jose Mourinho’s side are clearly not the side any neutral would want to watch.
Guardiola’s side have dismantled Liverpool, played pretty well against Chelsea and also came out winners against an attack-oriented Napoli side, which showed they can take on any team with their proactive approach. Mourinho’s side, meanwhile, decided to play it safe against Liverpool last weekend and despite having good attacking players, rely too much on their absent midfielder Paul Pogba, which was proved by their disjointed midfield display against Benfica and now Huddersfield.
With City in such form and the gap already at five points, Jose can no longer try the reactive approach against the bigger sides, something that doesn’t suit him.
