'%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 continued their climb up the Premier League table with a comfortable 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday (October 16). The two sides met at the Etihad Stadium and Pep Guardiola's men ensured there was no slip-up.
Bernardo Silva continued his fine form with a goal against Burnley early in the first half, but the Cityzens had to wait until the 70th minute to get their next goal. Kevin de Bruyne scored to seal all three points for Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola's side dominated with 71% possession and had 15 shots, three times that of Burnley, but only six were on target for the Cityzens. They completed 768 passes in the game, more than double of their opponents at 318.
Here are Manchester City's best players from the 2-0 win over Burnley:
#5 - Phil Foden
Phil Foden did not have a great game, but he was still one of the best on the pitch today. The Burnley defenders isolated the youngster and he was marked out whenever he moved into the final third.
However, he did manage to drop a little deeper and worked in the build-up plays to smoothen things for Manchester City. Foden also played a role in the first goal. Nick Pope saved his shot, but Bernardo Silva tapped in the rebound early in the game.
Pep Guardiola moved Foden to the middle in the second half, but he remained marked out again.
#4 - Zack Steffen
Stepping in for Ederson, who was just back from international duty, Zack Steffen did significantly well when called into action. His save to deny Maxwel Cornet proved crucial as Manchester City held on to their lead and then went on to double it later on.
Manchester City legend Trevor Sinclair was full of praise for the United States star and said:
"I thought one player who played particularly well was Steffen. It's in the DNA of City goalkeepers: Ederson is calm on the ball and Steffen is exactly the same, as is the young boy on loan who plays for the Republic of Ireland [Gavin Bazunu]. They all have the same mentality."
Sinclair added:
"A couple of times in the first half and in the second half, Steffen had to put his body on the line and head the ball but they don't flinch! They're exactly the same. It was a really impressive performance and the clean sheet will give him a lot of confidence."
Unfortunately for Steffen, he will be back on the bench with Ederson back for Manchester City in their next game.
#3 John Stones
John Stones was making his first appearance for Manchester City this season and he did well to prove a point. The former Everton man wants his place back in the starting XI, and the Burnley game stacked the odds in his favor.
Stones won two of his ground duels in the game, with Burnley registerin very few attempts to break into the Manchester City half. Explaining his decision to start the Englishman, Pep Guardiola said:
"John is a player, like Ruben and Aymer were really well. International break for many reasons, today we decide for this one. Not for a special [reason], I trust a lot all the players. When I make a selection and don't select players for a specific game it's because I decide for this game, is not because I don't like them, it's for tactical, for the locker room, for the opponent, for different reasons."
#2 Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is slowly getting back to his best as he took a giant step in that direction on Saturday. The Belgian was clearly not at full fitness once again, but he did exceptionally well on and off the ball.
De Bruyne did his best to get Manchester City their second goal of the game with some dangerous crosses and passes into the box, but there was no end product. He the took matters into his own hands in the second half and scored the Cityzens' second goal of the match to seal the three points.
#1 Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva reportedly wanted to leave Manchester City in the summer due to a lack of opportunities but is now the first name on the team sheet. Pep Guardiola is working to find the best place for the Portuguese star, and he seems to have struck gold.
Speaking about Silva, Pep Guardiola said:
"We know how we want him, how we love him. But at the same time not just Bernardo, I said many times in my last press conference, I want the best of them. They have to be happy to be here to perform well. He is such an important player for us, he can play in four or five different positions and he is so intelligent, and intelligent players can play everywhere."
Guardiola went on to add:
"There are players who can just play in this (one) position. He is a winger, or a striker, or a holding midfielder or a central defender. Bernardo is a football player and the football players can play anywhere and that's why in this level."
The former AS Monaco star has been in top form for the last few games and has been their best player by a mile. He scored an early goal against Burnley and then combined well with the midfield to help Manchester City keep possession throughout the game.
