Premier League: Haaland nets brace as Man City comfortably beat Burnley at Turf Moor
Manchester City begun the defence of their Premier League title with a 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Burnley on Friday evening, with Erling Haaland netting a brace at Turf Moor.
Haaland struck twice in the first half of the contest before Rodri added a third in the 75th minute, while Burnley finished the match with 10 men due to a late red card for Anass Zaroury.
There was an emotional element attached to the match, with Man City legend Vincent Kompany in charge of Burnley, and the 37-year-old’s stock would certainly rise further if he was able to lead the Clarets to a successful season.
Burnley were comfortably the best side in the Championship last season, finishing top of the pile with 101 points, but they will be more than aware of the difference in class at this level of football, and it showed on Friday, with the champions comfortably securing all the points.
Man City, who have allowed Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez to leave this summer, lost the Community Shield to Arsenal on penalties last weekend, but they put that disappointing result behind them at Turf Moor.
It took just four minutes for the Citizens to take the lead, with Haaland firing into the bottom corner from close range after Rodri had headed a Kevin De Bruyne cross into a dangerous area.
Two minutes later, De Bruyne fired over from distance, but Burnley were showing signs of life, with Luca Koleosho missing the crossbar with a decent attempt in the 15th minute, and the home side were backed by a vocal crowd.
De Bruyne was forced off with an injury in the 23rd minute, which will be concerning for the Citizens, and Burnley had their best spell of the half either side of the half-hour mark, with Lyle Foster curling one just wide following smart work from Zeki Amdouni.
Man City doubled their advantage in the 35th minute, though, and it was no surprise that it was Haaland with the goal, as the Norway international fired an unstoppable effort into the back of the net off an assist from Julian Alvarez.
There was an emotional exchange between Haaland and Man City boss Pep Guardiola shortly after the half-time whistle was blown, but the two later embraced when the striker was substituted late on.
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford had to push a Rodri effort over the crossbar in the 55th minute, before Alvarez missed the target shortly after following smart work from Phil Foden.
Man City made sure of the points in the 75th minute of the contest, though, with Rodri finding the roof of the net from inside the box after Burnley had failed to deal with a delivery into the penalty box.
Josko Gvardiol was introduced for his Citizens debut in the 79th minute, and the champions were threatening a fourth late on, with Foden sweeping one wide in the 88th minute, but Guardiola’s side ultimately declared at three on the opening night of the new campaign.
A tough night for Burnley became even more disappointing in stoppage time, meanwhile, with Zaroury being handed a straight red card, following a VAR review, for a challenge on Kyle Walker, which was high and rash.
Burnley will be looking to bounce back from the disappointing result when they host Aston Villa on August 27, with their match against Luton Town being postponed.
Next up for Man City is the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla on Wednesday night before hosting Newcastle United in the Premier League next Saturday.
