Burnley 0-2 Manchester City: Three Things We Learned

Manchester City stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to three points with a confident 2-0 victory against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Gabriel Jesus gave Pep Guardiola’s men the perfect start at Turf Moor before Raheem Sterling doubled the advantage just before the break. Pep Guardiola’s men thought they had a third after half-time through Riyad Mahrez but his goal was ruled out by VAR. Indeed, just two was enough on the night for the Sky Blues to secure a 13th consecutive victory in all competitions.

Here are three things we learned from Turf Moor:

Aguero replacement?

It’s always going to be tough for Manchester City to replace the Sergio Aguero and that’s no surprise considering that the Argentine forward has netted a club record 256 goals in his time at the Etihad Stadium. However, the transition away from Aguero and towards Gabriel Jesus already seems to be well underway.

In opening the scoring against the Clarets on Wednesday evening, the Brazilian netted his 75th goal for the club – a stunning return considering that he is just 23 years of age. His strike in Lancashire was also his third strike in as many games in all competitions for Manchester City.

Whilst it is somewhat true to say that Jesus does not quite yet have the lethal, clinical nature that Aguero has displayed throughout his career, if the Brazilian can continue his great form, he is an absolutely perfect replacement should the club elect not to extend the latter’s expiring contract come the end of the season.

Gundogan continues to excel

From one Manchester City player who is in top form to another, this time that man being Ilkay Gundogan. The German midfielder is arguably in the best form of his career at the Etihad Stadium.

Prior to the clash at Turf Moor, the 30-year-old had already racked up seven goals in the Premier League in 2020/21, the best scoring season of his senior career. He added to that count with a tremendous assist for Sterling’s goal just before the break.

It’s certainly understandable that with a consistent run of games without injuries, Gundogan really has hit top form, something that has certainly helped in the recent absence of star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. He is at early odds of 12/1 with Betfair to be named PFA Player of the Season for 2020/21 which could well be a clever bet.

Clarets sick of the sight of Manchester City

Ahead of the match, it certainly would have been tough to predict the Clarets getting anything out of the game. Indeed, since earning promotion back to the Premier League in 2016, the Clarets have never beaten the Sky Blues, losing 11 out of their last 12 matches against them in all competitions. Even more shockingly, the Clarets have only managed to score on five occasions in that time.

That was the same once again at Turf Moor, with the hosts simply unable to get anywhere near their illustrious visitors. The defeat was not quite to the same severity in some of the numerous thumpings they’ve taken at the hands of Manchester City recently but it will certainly still be disappointing.

Having said that, Burnley’s achievements this season will not be decided against the Sky Blues. Supporters though will surely want to see a bit more adventure and ambition against some of the Premier League’s bigger clubs.

Match Report

Burnley: Pope (6); Pieters (5), Mee (6), Tarkowski (6), Lowton (6); Gudmunsson (5), Westwood (6) (Benson (n/A), 81′), Cork (6) (Stephens (6), 71′), McNeil (6); Rodriguez (5) (Mubongo (N/A), 77′), Vydra (5).

Manchester City: Ederson (7); Laporte (7), Dias (7), Stones (7), Cancelo (6) (Zinchenko (6), 64′); Rodri (6), Gundogan (7), Silva (7); Mahrez (6), Sterling (7), Jesus (7).

Goals: Jesus (3′), Sterling (38′)

Referee: Jon Moss

Yellow Cards: Ederson (76′), Stephens (83′), Mubongo (87′)

Red Cards: N/A