Pep’s stars know the drill as they chew up Clarets
IN YEARS gone by, Pep Guardiola compared a trip to Burnley with visiting the dentist.
Every team knows it’s going to hurt – but it has to be done.
However, there was no need for any numbing agent for the pain administered by Dr Sean Dyche yesterday.
This was just a superficial examination – a potential date with the drill that turned into a quick check-up – that Manchester City breezed through with a clean bill of health.
One goal ahead after five minutes, two-up inside half an hour and then an extended game of keep-ball as the Clarets sweated in the spring sun.
Liverpool supporters were eager to see if there were any signs of crumbling confidence ahead of next Sunday’s mouthwatering showdown at The Etihad. There weren’t.
Jurgen Klopp’s side may have thrown down the gauntlet at Anfield but Guardiola picked it up and slapped both the Clarets and his managerial rivals around the face with it.
There was no repeat of the glut of chances that went begging at Crystal Palace in last month’s goalless draw.
That turned up the heat a notch but, instead of shrivelling up and wilting, Guardiola’s players donned their sunglasses and enjoyed themselves.
If they were feeling any pressure at seeing a 14-point lead whittled away, they weren’t showing it.
The sight of Liverpool on top of the pile for the first time since September did not fill the Catalan’s Class of ’22 with dread. Why should it? City came off a fiendishly long run three years ago when they won a three-month game of cat and mouse with the Reds.
The pair served up one of the greatest title races in modern history and pushed each other to the limit.
So the fact that they are in the same positions again now has rekindled memories of that titanic struggle.
But there was no iceberg in East Lancashire and it was difficult to escape the conclusion that Dyche had more of an eye on Wednesday’s date of destiny against Everton.
Burnley usually make life difficult but they were too compliant, too eager to funnel back into their shape.
You can bet your bottom dollar there won’t be a repeat of that against the Toffees.
As for City, this was the perfect opportunity to get back into the old routine following the international break.
For them, Atletico Madrid has to be the focus in the Champions League this midweek. As it does for the Reds against Benfica.
But there can be little doubt that the eyes of the footballing world will already be firmly fixed on The Etihad.
Even on a weekend of top-quality sport – the Grand National, the Melbourne Grand Prix and the Masters – their showdown tops the bill.
Three years ago, it was a meeting between them at The Etihad in January which went a long way towards City winning the race.
This time, the margin for error is way smaller.
And the world of football is licking its lips at what’s to come.