Manchester City demolished Burnley 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Maxime Esteve scoring two own goals before Erling Haaland’s late brace sealed a comprehensive victory. The win wasn’t as straightforward as the scoreline suggests, Burnley competed admirably for an hour before capitulating—but it gave Pep Guardiola’s side the momentum-building performance they desperately needed. The victory lifts City up to fourth in the Premier League table, while Scott Parker’s Clarets remain precariously placed just one point above the relegation zone.
Match Timeline
- 12’ – Maxime Esteve (OG) – Doku’s brilliant work forces the defender’s own goal
- 34’ – Jaidon Anthony equalises – shot deflects off Ruben Dias past Donnarumma
- 60’ – Matheus Nunes volleys City back in front
- 68’ – Maxime Esteve (OG) – hapless defender deflects Nunes’ cross into his own net again
- 82’ – Erling Haaland finishes brilliantly after Doku’s assist
- 89’ – Haaland adds a second late goal to complete the rout
Tactical Breakdown
For sixty minutes, this wasn’t the mismatch everyone expected. Burnley defended resolutely in a disciplined low block, with former City defender Kyle Walker among those making the game difficult for his old teammates. Parker’s game plan was clear: sit deep, stay compact, and hit on the break. It nearly worked.
Without key man Rodri through injury, City found it tricky to pick out the precision passes that could unlock Parker’s side. The opening goal came from individual brilliance rather than system, Jeremy Doku’s pace and trickery forcing Esteve into a mistake. When Anthony equalised, Burnley genuinely believed they could get something from this game.
But City’s second-half dominance proved decisive. Guardiola’s side cranked up the pressure, pinned Burnley back, and exploited every inch of space. Doku now has three assists in his last three Premier League games, more than in his previous 17 appearances combined. The Belgian was unplayable, terrorising Burnley’s defence with his pace and directness.
Standout Performers
- Jeremy Doku – Unplayable throughout, three assists in three games, earned a MOTM award.
- Erling Haaland – Two clinical late goals confirmed his status as City’s talisman.
- Matheus Nunes – Crucial volleyed goal and assist for the second own goal.
- Maxime Esteve – Nightmare performance, two own goals destroyed Burnley’s hopes.
- Kyle Walker – Decent against his former club but ultimately overwhelmed.
Manager Reactions
Pep Guardiola: “Really good. Except maybe 10 to 15 minutes when we dropped our rhythm. Since the United game, our spirit is much, much better. If we don’t play good, we defend as a group. Walker played a really good game. It’s not easy to stop Jeremy Doku when he is enjoying football.”
Scott Parker: “Performance-wise, I was delighted for 60 to 70 minutes. Two goals come back to back put a massive dent in us. I don’t think the scoreline really reflects that there were massive positives from the first part of that game.”
Stats & Numbers
| Stat | Man City | Burnley |
| Possession | 68% | 32% |
| Total Shots | 21 | 9 |
| Shots on Target | 8 | 2 |
| Corners | 10 | 2 |
| Big Chances Created | 5 | 0 |
What It Means
City’s emphatic victory pushes them to fourth with 10 points from six games, crucial momentum after their slow start. Burnley remain 16th with four points, clinging to survival by a single point and looking increasingly vulnerable.
Conclusion
City finally rediscovered their ruthless edge when it mattered. Doku’s brilliance and Haaland’s lethal finishing proved the difference, but Burnley’s resilience deserves credit. Can Guardiola’s men build on this momentum?
