Burnley 0 Man City 3: Haaland double sees Pep outclass protege Kompany as Treble winners make perfect start
ERLING HAALAND’S brilliant double ruined Burnley’s Prem return party.
The Manchester City hitman’s two first-touch finishes suggested he could even surpass last season’s 52-goal record-breaking – yet Clarets’ boss and Etihad legend Vincent Kompany shouldn’t be too disappointed.
Burnley pressed well at times, with fluent raids before the break, but in truth Haaland needed to contribute little beyond his first-half goals.
Treble winners City then slowed it down with typical possession play after the interval, with stand-out midfielder Rodri adding a third goal.
Haaland’s instinctive positioning enabled him to hook home just 186 seconds into the new season when Rodri headed a corner back across.
The Clarets bustled back into contention promisingly, with winger Luca Koleosho a skilful, wriggling menace.
And City soon saw Kevin de Bruyne limp off in despair, sparking fears the leg injury that marred his 2022-23 run-in is still lingering.
But on 36 minutes Haaland’s strikepartner Julian Alvarez nicked the ball back for the Norwegian to crack a supreme left-footer into the top-corner.
Rodri then confirmed City’s victory in the 76th minute, firing home following a scramble at a free-kick.
It left his boss Pep Guardiola able to take off Haaland, with Alvarez going closest to a fourth goal.
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But that would have been harsh on Burnley, especially for their fervour and decent share of play before the interval.
Clarets’ sub Anass Zaroury saw red in stoppage time following replays of his late lunge on Kyle Walker.
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