This Premier League encounter began at a frantic pace, as both City and Burnley flew out of the traps, keen to press one another into making an error. And sure enough, Burnley pressure paid off after only two minutes. The City defence, known for liking to start play from the back, lost the ball under pressure form the visitors. This led to a Burnley freekick, courtesy of a high tackle from Vincent Kompany on Sam Vokes.
The visitors nearly capitalised on this early chance; a Steven Defour freekick was whipped into the front post, with Sam Vokes only just directing his header wide of the City net.
After this early scare, City switched into gear, passing and probing the Burnley defence. And soon enough, a chance came for Sergio Aguero; Riyad Mahrez swung an excellent cross into the penalty area, but the Argentine could only direct his header wide of the far post.
The match calmed somewhat after this flurry of early chances, as predictably, City took control of the possession, in a bid to assert their authority over their opponents. Once again, Sergio Aguero was proving a menace in the Burnley box; as he drew a fine save out of Burnley keeper Joe Hart from almost point blank range, on the Englishman’s return to the Etihad.
But is was not to be a happy homecoming for former blue Hart, a two time Premier League winner among other honours, during his time in Manchester. Although he did recieve a great reception from the City fans.
And perhaps predictably, it was Aguero who would open the scoring soon after. A great City move down the left hand side between Sané and Silva, led to the Spaniard reaching the by-line. He cut a low driven cross into the six yard box, and Aguero was ready at the far post to tap home the opener. This goal prompted a succession of attacks from the hosts, as they smelt blood and saw that Burnley were there for the taking.
Silva and Mahrez soon produced efforts of their own; Silva latching onto a deflected Aguero effort to flick the ball onto the roof of the net, and Mahrez hitting the side netting after breaking though the Burnley back line. However the hosts, no matter how much they probed, could not double their advantage before the interval. Burnley seemed content to try to block the onslaught, and were relieved to hear the half-time whistle.
October 20, 2018
The second half started in contrasting fashion to the first; City came flying out of the blocks in an attempt to obtain a two goal cushion in the game.
An incident involving Burnley defender Matt Lowton slowed them down however, as the player suffered a head injury while blocking a ferocious drive on goal from David Silva. Thankfully, Lowton recieved treatment and was fine to play on.
October 20, 2018
A quickfire City double followed, effectively ending the game as a contest. First, a Leroy Sané penalty claim was waved away in the Burnley box, and in the subsequent momentary confusion, City played on, with David Silva cutting the ball back for his namesake Bernardo to fire high into the Burnley net.
Then, two minutes later, the home fans were cheering once more, as Fernandinho added a third. A corner kick fell to the edge of the box, and an on rushing Fernandinho slammed the ball into the net in emphatic style, with Hart beaten before he could react to the danger.
October 20, 2018
Burnley looked beaten, with manager Dyche bringing on reinforcements in defence, in order to stop the influx of City chances, and a potential hammering to their goal difference. However these changes proved unfruitful, as City were to add two more goals to their tally before the match was brought to a close.
First, Riyad Mahrez picked up the ball on the edge of the box, and curled an exquisite effort into the far corner of the goal. Once again, Joe Hart was well beaten in the Burnley goal; even two keepers would have struggled to keep the Algerian's effort out.
October 20, 2018
And then, in the final minutes of the game, German Leroy Sané would add the fifth.
Benjamin Mendy made a marauding run down the left hand side, and fired a trademark low cross into the six yard box, and Sané had the simple task of sweeping the ball into the far corner of the net.
October 20, 2018
Overall, the scoreline was slightly harsh on Burnley, who are right to feel aggrieved with regards to the manner in which the champions scored their second. The ball seeming to have crossed the by-line before David Silva's cut back to Bernardo for the finish. In spite of their lenghty protestations the goal stood, and seemed to really rattle the visitors. Who subsequently capitulated and could not compete any longer with the clinical City attack.
Yet had it been for a different decision, the 'Clarets' could easily have taken a result from the game. City stopper Ederson looking less than steady for once, and providing them with a few chances that with only a one goal deficit, could have completely altered the outcome of the game.
October 20, 2018
On the other hand, City will argue that, while a tad fortunate for the second goal, always play to the whistle. It was a deserved the victory and City were simply the better side. Another bright note for the hosts, Kevin De Bruyne made a long-awaited return from injury, playing 30 minutes or so towards the end of the game, and creating a few dangerous openings for his teammates.
All in all, City produced a display that has become typical of the side in recent seasons, and ahead of a week in which they face Shaktar Donetsk and Tottenham, this afternoon was the perfect confidence booster with which to prepare.