Manchester City became the second team in Premier League history to win a match streamed live on Amazon Prime, in what was a well-received day of football in England.
In what was a performance reminiscent of the 17/18 season under Guardiola, Manchester City put in an authoritative 90-minute display, in some contrast of the faltering side we’ve witnessed more recently. Burnley were pressed for time and space on the ball at every instance and failed to get much going forward.
Jesus opened the scoring with a goal of the season contender, curling the ball into the side netting of Nick Pope’s net from an astonishingly difficult angle after a speedy counter-attack had left Burnley short handed at the back. He then completed his brace on the other side of half time, after five minutes of relentless City pressure culminated in an inviting Bernardo Silva cross which was volleyed home with authority by the youngster.
Another excellent goal followed shortly from Rodri, who volleyed the ball ever so sweetly to turn it 180 degrees from its initial path and make it crash into the back of the Burnley goal at break-neck speed. Riyad Mahrez completed City’s rout after a stepover and a wonderfully placed grounded shot from the edge of the box.
Burnley’s Robbie Brady also got himself on the scoresheet with a very well taken goal, but at that time it was solely consolation and unfortunately too late to ignite a fightback.
A shift from the Burnley way
Sean Dyche opted for a 4-4-1-1 formation for the game against the Champions, marking a significant deviation from his orthodox 4-4-2 set up, dropping Ashley Barnes in the process. It was perhaps a move to congest the midfield even further to frustrate City’s creative players, but one which didn’t pay dividends in the end.
Chris Wood was starved for service for the vast majority of the game, with Burnley penned so far deep into their half that even the out ball to Wood, when it did indeed come off, was to no avail. Further, they seemed to be missing the link-up that Barnes’s presence on the pitch facilitates, and didn’t look as threatening as the last time City visited Turf Moor.
In hindsight, it may perhaps be more prudent for Sean Dyche to stick to his tried and tested methods against the big sides that look to move the ball around quickly, because they tried to stifle the little passing and link-up in midfield, (with no disrespect meant to them, and rather a testament as to how focused City looked instead), but got played off the park anyway.
Rodri’s redemption
While Fernandinho has had to deputise for Aymeric Laporte at centre half, Rodri has stepped into defensive midfield with mixed success. As the lone anchor of the City midfield (in opposition to his having help in his role at Atletico Madrid), he has had times where the opposing pressure was too much and too quick for him to deal with.
There have been moments where he has looked a step behind his opposite numbers, and of course, the injury hasn’t helped his case at all, but Tuesday looked a Rodri determined for redemption, and boy did he achieve it.
In arguably his finest 90 minutes in a City shirt, City’s new signing absolutely bossed the midfield by being at the right place at the right time, sticking to his men, dealing with potential dangers and encouraging in his passes forward.
The absolute rocket of a shot that left his right boot was the cherry on the cake.
Pep’s best XI?
A poll conducted by a prominent Manchester City twitter account showed that only 51% of respondents were happy with the line-up that Guardiola had opted for at Turf Moor, although I can be absolutely sure that 100% of fans would be delighted at the result, and more importantly the performance.
With the Manchester derby up next for the Sky Blues, the question remains: is this Pep Guardiola’s best starting lineup available to him till January? Of course, Oleksandr Zinchenko has returned to training and Ilkay Gundogan was suspended, but I’m inclined to think that admitting a possible argument for Mahrez for David Silva (which would shift Bernardo to central midfield and reinstate the Algerian on the wing), the XI that dominated Burnley should be the one that starts at the Etihad when the cross-city rivals come knocking at the door.
Nicolas Otamendi looked assured, Bernardo Silva had a good game, and Gabriel Jesus was very impressive. As far as fatigue constraints allow, I believe Guardiola will pick the same side for his showdown with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
The question of sustainability
City showed exactly the form that saw them defend their league title last season and that which got them off to a flying start this time around. However, the recent times have been rather torrid, by City’s high standards, and have led to a single victory in their last five games prior to their triumph at Turf Moor.
Most managers would recognise that Burnley away is one of the most demanding fixtures for any big side in a season, and although City passed it with flying colours, the ultimate questions remains to be the sustainability of their form.
Liverpool have shown time and again that they will only give up the title this time if it is pried from their cold, dead hands; but that situation is quite unlikely to arise, given the form of the likes of Sadio Mane and their full-back pairing. However, the same was said last season, and although City had to be inch-perfect for 14 consecutive games to pip the reds to the title, they indeed did.
It remains to be seen if City have indeed regained their charisma of last season, or whether the Burnley game was a one-off. For the sake of the title race, I hope it is the former.
Up Next
Manchester City welcome United to the Etihad on Saturday to contest the Manchester derby, with bragging rights at stake once more. Burnley look to recover their form against a wounded Tottenham Hotspur side, who were just beaten by their present manager’s former side. An interesting narrative awaits.
