Manchester City, spearheaded by the dazzling Erling Haaland, kicked off their pursuit for the unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title with an emphatic 3-0 victory over newly promoted Burnley at Turf Moor.
Fresh off their Champions League victory, which saw them becoming only the second English team to clinch a treble, Pep Guardiola’s squad showcased their title credentials once again. The spotlight was on Haaland as he delivered an exceptional performance, netting two goals in the first half. Rodri sealed the deal with a close-range effort, ensuring a triumphant start for the Premier League champions against Vincent Kompany's side.
The match wasn't without its dramatic moments, with a visible tiff between Guardiola and Haaland as the teams retreated for the half-time break. Additionally, Burnley's Anass Zaroury was shown a late controversial red card, further heating up the game's atmosphere.
In a memorable scene, just a little over three minutes into the match, a strategic short corner from Kevin De Bruyne set up Haaland, who didn't disappoint and registered the first goal for City. Unfortunately, De Bruyne, fresh from recovery, signaled an injury scare and had to be replaced. His exit from the field was a moment of concern, but Haaland’s mesmerizing second goal in the 36th minute, assisted by Julian Alvarez, offset the worry.
However, all was not smooth sailing for Haaland. The Norwegian striker's exceptional on-pitch performance was overshadowed by an unexpected reprimand from Guardiola, who also made headlines for pushing away a TV camera.
The drama continued into the second half, with City maintaining their dominance. Burnley showed brief flashes of resistance but struggled to counter City’s unyielding defense and swift counter-attacks. Rodri's goal in the 75th minute, capitalizing on a weak clearance from Burnley, put the game well out of reach for the hosts.
Haaland's exit in the latter stages saw a mixed response from the crowd. Guardiola, however, made sure to warmly greet the striker, possibly mending any rift from their earlier confrontation.
As the match neared its conclusion, the tension further escalated with Zaroury's dismissal following a tackle on Kyle Walker, a decision affirmed after VAR review.
Despite the challenges faced, Burnley demonstrated commendable effort against the champions, showcasing moments of promise for the season ahead.
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