Alvarez has a happy birthday

Manchester – Julian Alvarez (above) celebrated his 24th birthday in style as the Manchester City striker scored twice to inspire a 3-1 win against Burnley on Wednesday.

Alvarez bagged his brace in the first-half to ensure City had no problems brushing aside outclassed Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.

The Argentine’s double took his goal tally for the season to 15 in all competitions, including seven in his last seven appearances.

Rodri netted City’s third goal after the interval as the Premier League champions made it eight successive wins in all competitions.

Ameen Al Dakhil’s stoppage-time goal was no consolation for Burnley, who sit secondbottom of the table.

Second-placed City remain hot on the heels of leaders Liverpool as the title race gathers pace.

There was more good news for Pep Guardiola as Erling Haaland came off the bench for the last 20 minutes, marking the City striker’s return from a foot injury that had sidelined him since 6 December.

Alvarez’s goals have covered more than adequately during Haaland’s absence, but the Norwegian will add another level of menace to the treble winners as they try to overhaul Liverpool and win a fourth successive title.

After a worrying wobble before Christmas, City are rounding into form and fitness at just the right time.

“It’s a long time, five months, Kevin De Bruyne didn’t play. He comes back with energy. He played really good. Him and Erling are going to help us this part of the season,” Guardiola said of his returning stars.

“Today, the game was not close. There are games with this score that feel closer, this was not. We had players who have less control than usual, but we had more runners, more speed.”

Slowly worked back in the mix with three substitute appearances, De Bruyne captained City in his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in the opening game of the season at Burnley.

The Belgian midfielder almost made an instant impact with a free-kick that clipped the Burnley wall and looped just over.

City had won their previous 12 games against the Clarets, who had not taken three points from a league visit to the blue half of Manchester since 1963.

And Alvarez made sure there was never any chance of City losing that dominant record. –