Burnley 0-3 Manchester City: Erling Haaland’s first-half brace helps the Premier League champions get off to perfect start against Vincent Kompany’s side at Turf Moor
Manchester City got their Premier League title defence off to the perfect start with a 3-0 win against Burnley at Turf Moor on Friday night.
Last season’s single-season record goalscorer, Erling Haaland, picked up where he left off last term, bagging a first-half brace before Rodri completed the scoring with a finish from close range in the 75th minute.
The one dampener on a serene night in Lancashire for Pep’s side was the first-half injury to skipper Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian was a surprise inclusion from the start having missed the majority of pre-season and coming on as a substitute in the Community Shield
But despite impressing in a short cameo on Friday, his night ended early after pulling up in the 15th minute.
Newly-promoted Burnley made a decent account of themselves and had a few opportunities thanks to a daring high press, but Vincent Kompany’s side got a lesson in the step up in quality in the Premier League. Anass Zaroury’s last dismissal for a challenge on Kyle Walker capped off a sobering night for the home side.