Guardiola singled out Man City’s secret weapon in title race after Burnley win

31 January 2024 , 22:10

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There is an ominous look about Manchester City as the champions set their sights on a record fourth straight Premier League title.

With Kevin De Bruyne back to his best after a five-month injury lay-off and Erling Haaland returning after a 10-game absence, Pep Guardiola's men have a formidable look about them. Since losing at Aston Villa on December 6, Guardiola's side have taken 16 points from 18, been crowned world champions and remain on course to repeat last season's Treble.

Julian Alvarez may have marked his 24th birthday with two goals to set City their way to a routine win, but the night belonged to De Bruyne and Haaland. Making his first start since the opening weekend of the season – ironically also against Burnley – De Bruyne ran the game, providing a sublime assist for City's second and playing a part in the third.

De Bruyne's hunger was something to behold, the Belgium international chasing every ball down as if his life depended on it, desperate to make up for lost time after his enforced five-month lay-off. Since returning for City as a sub at Newcastle, the 32-year-old has registered three assists and a goal, his return an incalculable boost for the Treble winners, who are relishing his peerless talent and game-changing presence.

Haaland received a standing ovation when he came on in the 71st minute for De Bruyne, who was also serenaded by City's fans for his match-winning contribution.

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It was Haaland's first appearance for City since defeat at Villa last month, the Norwegian goal machine having missed 10 games with a stress fracture of the foot. He was unable to mark his return with a goal and proved he is fallible when he performed an air shot with the first chance that came his way, 10 minutes after coming on.

De Bruyne wasted no time in stamping his influence on the game, his goal-bound free-kick after six minutes deflected just over the bar by Clarets skipper Josh Brownhill.

Julian Alvarez celebrated his 24th birthday by scoring twice in the first half

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As expected, City dominated possession, their control rewarded with the opening goal in the 16th minute, Phil Foden picking out Matheus Nunes, who surged into the Burnley penalty area.

Nunes was tracked by Dara O'Shea, but the Burnley defender stood off his opponent, affording him time to pick out Julian Alvarez, who headed the ball into the net from close range. Alvarez claimed his second of the game six minutes later, a superbly-worked free-kick from De Bruyne dispatched by the Argentina World Cup winner.

In a move straight from the training pitch, De Bruyne played a perfectly-weighted delivery in behind the Burnley defence, Alvarez providing a clinical first-time finish into the far corner.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Rodri (C) of Manchester City celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley FC at Etihad Stadium on January 31, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

A jubilant Guardiola indicated his delight by pointing towards De Bruyne with both hands, then repeated the gesture towards set-piece coach Carlos Vicens, the man behind the clever move.

Guardiola also embraced Vicens, the expertise of the dead-ball coach having helped City build a lead which gave them some breathing space and one which they would not relinquish. Burnley rarely threatened the City goal, their one sight of it coming two minutes before the break, when Lyle Foster cut in from the left and curled a shot just beyond Ederson's far post.

The hosts were 3-0 up 25 seconds after the restart, De Bruyne finding Foden, who in turn picked out Rodri, the midfielder sweeping a first-time shot past James Trafford.

Burnley claimed a goal in added-time from Ameen Al-Dakhil, but it was too little, too late from City legend Vincent Kompany's side.