Julian Alvarez marked his 24th birthday with a stellar performance, scoring twice to lead Manchester City to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Alvarez’s first-half brace showcased his goal-scoring prowess, taking his season tally to 15 in all competitions, with seven goals in his last seven appearances. Rodri added a third goal for City in the second half, securing their eighth consecutive win in all competitions.
Burnley, struggling near the bottom of the table, managed a stoppage-time goal through Ameen Al Dakhil, but it was little consolation for their challenging season.
The win keeps second-placed Manchester City closely trailing leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race. The return of Erling Haaland, coming off the bench for the last 20 minutes after recovering from a foot injury, adds another dimension to City’s attacking prowess.
Manager Pep Guardiola expressed confidence in the return of key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, emphasizing their contribution to the team’s performance in the coming matches.
City’s recent run of success has seen them regain form and fitness at a crucial juncture in the season. Guardiola acknowledged that the game against Burnley was not close, with City having more runners and speed. The team’s control and performance are expected to strengthen further with the return of key players.
Alvarez’s early goals set the tone for City’s dominance in the match. The opening goal came from a well-executed move, initiated by Phil Foden’s precise pass to Matheus Nunes, who delivered a perfect cross for Alvarez to score with a close-range header. Alvarez’s second goal was a result of a quick free-kick by De Bruyne, catching Burnley off guard, and the Argentine forward calmly finishing from 12 yards.
Rodri’s goal early in the second half sealed the win for City, with Foden’s dynamic run and precise cross setting up the Spanish midfielder for a superb first-time strike.
Despite Burnley pulling a goal back in stoppage time, City’s commanding lead ensured they maintained their impressive record against the Clarets, extending their winning streak against them to 13 games.
Guardiola praised the performance of his team, acknowledging the impact of returning players like De Bruyne and Haaland. He highlighted the game’s dominance, emphasizing the team’s speed and attacking capabilities. City’s recent success, including winning the Dubai Sevens Challenger Series, indicates their growing form and resilience as they pursue further victories in the league and beyond.
Reported By AFP.
