11 August 2023 , 21:49
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Erling Haaland made another sensational start to a Premier League season … but was still given a dressing-down by Pep Guardiola.
Having scored twice in Manchester City ’s opening match at West Ham a year ago, Haaland repeated the trick to set up a comfortable first-day win at Burnley, grabbing his first inside four minutes.
But after adding a second, Haaland still felt the wrath of his manager at the end of the first half.
But Guardiola tried to play it down, explaining: “There’s no problem at all. It was about a connection with the players. He wanted the ball in behind him and that ball hasn't to be in behind. “Sometimes you have to be patient to find the right moment.
"He was not frustrated, I am not frustrated. In football it happens. Don't be dramatic.
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“He scored two goals and he’s happy. He was tremendous in the second-half. We know how good he is in front of goal.”
And Haaland also made light of the incident, saying: “It's a pleasure working with Pep - there’s no better for working with a young player.
Guardiola and Haaland were seen in a feisty exchange at half-time (Magi Haroun/REX/Shutterstock)“I have to keep developing and enjoy the chaos around me and perform on the pitch."
Rodri added a second half third to complete an emphatic victory but there was a significant downside for City as captain Kevin de Bruyne lasted only a quarter of the game before the hamstring problem that forced him to leave the Champions League final early struck again.
Guardiola said: “He’s injured again and that’s a problem. He recovered well but we will lose him again. He was feeling really good so we need to look at it. He will be out for a while."
Burnley had their moments against the Treble-winners but their disappointing night was complete when VAR convinced Craig Pawson to upgrade the yellow card he had given to Anass Zaroury for a nasty challenge on Kyle Walker.
One downside of City's win was a first half injury to star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, and Guardiola confirmed that he expects to be without the Belgian for a while.
"Yes he is injured again. Same issue [as last season] he told me," he said.
"So that is a problem. We need to go back and reflect with the medical team."He was feeling really good and playing really good in the first minutes. But unfortunately he is injured again.""Maybe [he shouldn't have started], but what happens in the first 15 minutes could also have come in the 50th, 65th, 70th minute..."