KEV SIMPLY DE BEST IN CITY STROLL
De Bruyne & Co in mood for more records
THERE is an ominous look about Manchester City as the champions set their sights on a record fourth straight Premier League title.
With Kevin De Bruyne back to his best after a five-month injury lay-off and Erling Haaland returning after a 10-game absence, Pep Guardiola’s men have a formidable look about them.
Since losing at Aston Villa on December 6, Guardiola’s side have taken 16 points from 18, been crowned world champions and remain on course to repeat last season’s Treble.
Julian Alvarez may have marked his 24th birthday with two goals to set City their way to a routine win, but the night belonged to De Bruyne and Haaland.
Making his first start since the opening weekend of the season – ironically also against Burnley – De Bruyne ran the game, providing a sublime assist for City’s second and playing a part in the third.
The Belgian’s hunger was something to behold, chasing every ball down as if his life depended on it, desperate to make up for lost time after his lay-off.
Since returning for City as a sub at Newcastle, the 32-year-old has registered three assists and a goal, his return an incalculable boost for the Treble winners, who are relishing his peerless talent and game-changing presence.
Haaland received a standing ovation when he came on in the 71st minute for De Bruyne, who was also serenaded by City’s fans for his match-winning contribution.
But the Norwegian goal machine was unable to find the net on his return and proved he is fallible when he performed an air shot with the first chance that came his way, 10 minutes after coming on.
De Bruyne wasted no time in stamping his influence on the game, his goal-bound free-kick after six minutes deflected just over the bar by Clarets skipper Josh Brownhill.
As expected, City dominated possession, their control rewarded with the opening goal in the 16th minute, Phil Foden picking out Matheus Nunes, who surged into the Burnley penalty area.
Nunes was tracked by Dara O’shea, but the defender stood off his opponent, affording him time to pick out Alvarez, who headed the ball into the net from close range.
He then claimed his second six minutes later, a superbly-worked free-kick from De Bruyne dispatched by the Argentine forward.
In a move straight from the training pitch, De Bruyne played a perfectlyweighted delivery in behind the Burnley defence, Alvarez providing a clinical first-time finish into the far corner.
A jubilant Guardiola indicated his delight by pointing towards De Bruyne with both hands, then repeated the gesture towards set-piece coach Carlos Vicens, the man behind the clever move.
Guardiola also embraced Vicens, the expertise of the dead-ball coach having helped City build a lead which gave them some breathing space and one which they would not relinquish.
Burnley rarely threatened the City goal, their one sight of it coming two minutes before the break, when Lyle Foster cut in from the left and curled a shot just beyond Ederson’s far post.
The hosts were 3-0 up 25 seconds after the restart, De Bruyne finding Foden, who in turn picked out Rodri, the midfielder sweeping a first-time shot past James Trafford.
Ameen Al-dakhil scored for Burnley in added time, but it was too little, too late from City legend Vincent Kompany’s side.