Haaland grabs brace as Man City thrash Burnley in EPL opener

Premier League champions, Manchester City, began the defence of their title with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Turf Moor as Burnley endured a chastening return to the top flight.

City had won their previous 11 fixtures against Burnley by a combined score of 40-1, meaning their fourth-minute opener came as no surprise.

The identity of the scorer was no shock either, with Erling Haaland finding space among a crowded penalty area to sweep the ball into the bottom corner from Rodri’s headed pass.

READ ALSO: Arsenal beat Man City to win Community Shield

Last season’s Golden Boot winner then rattled another first-time finish in off the bar in the 36th minute, with Rodri adding the third in the second half before Anass Zaroury received a straight red card after VAR review for an ugly tackle on Kyle Walker.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for City, who lost Kevin De Bruyne to another injury in the first half – with Guardiola conceding he perhaps shouldn’t have started the midfielder – but the ease at which they picked up the three points is an ominous sign for the rest of the Premier League.

Burnley are not in action again until Sunday, August 27, when they go to Aston Villa.

City play Sevilla in the European Super Cup on Wednesday, August 16, before hosting Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Star