PACY CHAMPIONS TURN A CORNER

LAST OFF the Manchester City coach and into a dressing room plunged in darkness was a man unrecognisable to even the most fanatical supporter. His name is Nicolas Jover, who arrived at Turf Moor steering a sizeable whiteboard with six separate pitches mapped on it. Jover was an unheralded summer capture from Brentford, a Frenchman who specialises in set-pieces and signed to iron out City’s deficiencies from corners and free-kicks. With Pep Guardiola worried of Burnley’s prowess from dead balls, it is fair to say the new coach has been through a busy few days. Hopefully his marker pens for that whiteboard were luminous, for the away area was pretty gloomy. The electrics in that pokey room were out and broadcast equipment was called for to illuminate their surroundings. Coincidentally, that also happened when Liverpool were here for a night match almost exactly 12 months ago. ‘Maybe we will now try that at the Etihad,’ Guardiola laughed. ‘We play like that when the team is stable. The distance we have with Liverpool, it’ll be crazy to think about the title (now). We have to think about the Manchester derby, other competitions, and it’s important to take this rhythm.’ Guardiola fretted about this game but he need not have. His players reverted to the City team that won the last two Premier League titles. The tempo was up. Not until the 37th minute did Burnley force a corner, one dealt with comfortably. Rodri screened the back four peerlessly, intercepting at will. ‘He is perfect for the Premier League,’ Guardiola said. ‘Incredible today. He was so clever with his movement.’ Nicolas Otamendi had not played a single league minute since defeat by Wolves two months ago. But this was the Otamendi of two seasons ago, commanding and authoritative, winning balls he ought not to. Crucially, too, was that City played at their hallmark pace. Too many times this term they have appeared laboured. Last night was different: a slickness, a real dominance. Get that right high up the pitch and the problems defending and fears over set plays simply do not register.