• 10 months ago
Our reporter Michael Plant gives his reaction after Manchester City make it eight wins in a row with a 3-1 win over Burnley.
Transcript
00:00 Manchester City returned to second place in the table tonight with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Burnley.
00:06 It was probably one of the most one-sided games you're going to see in the league this season.
00:09 City really dominated from the early stages and by the end it was a bit of a walk in the park.
00:14 For the champions who were knocking the ball about, not really even looking to be honest to try and add to their three goal lead in the latter stages.
00:21 Burnley did pull one back late to suppose, perhaps not a perfect night for City but overall as I say a really comfortable display for City without really getting out of second gear.
00:33 I think the big plus as well tonight for the champions is that Kevin De Bruyne was back, started, played around I think it was about 75 minutes.
00:41 He looked really good, set up the second goal with a superb pass into Julian Alvarez, disguised across into the box, laid the ball off for Alvarez to slot.
00:49 Passed James Trafford into the Burnley goal, Pep Guardiola was absolutely delighted, celebrated that goal with his set-piece coach.
00:55 They were working on that in Saudi Arabia during the mid-season break and in two games since then they've scored on both set-pieces.
01:03 It was 2-0 as I say from that goal, Julian Alvarez had already put City in front when he nodded in the cross from Mateus Nunes in the 16th minute.
01:12 I thought Nunes had a really good game coming into the side, I actually thought Rico Lewis did as well, a couple of the fringe players playing an important role when they came in.
01:21 But it wasn't done there, City made it 3-0 just at the start of the second half.
01:25 Lovely play from Foden, moved back into the wide areas tonight with Kevin De Bruyne playing centrally.
01:29 He knocked the ball back, Rodri just curled it fantastically into the bottom corner after just as I say 25 seconds into the second half.
01:37 From there not a huge amount happened, City very comfortably moved the ball.
01:42 But I suppose the big plus was to see Erling Haaland back for these home supporters, that was probably the biggest cheer of the night to be honest.
01:47 It means that City actually, with also John Stones coming back and starting tonight, Jeremy Doku coming back into the team recently.
01:53 Manuel Akanji was the only player missing tonight for City, they're looking in a really strong position in terms of their squad.
01:58 Akanji's not going to be out for long either, looking really good, got a lot of players back.
02:02 They're going to be motoring on, playing for some really good football, although maybe still being at their very best.
02:07 I think there's more to come from this side and as I'm recording this video, Liverpool still winning.
02:11 City moved back into second regardless of the result in that game and it's looking like a really, really good title race between City and Liverpool.
02:18 Perhaps if Arsenal can push their way in there as well.
02:21 But overall, tonight for City, good display, good performance starting back in the Premier League and good to be back in front of these home fans.

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