It was raining goals in the first half as the Blues ruthlessly cut through Burnley’s defence to build a five-goal lead. But after the break a downpour of Biblical proportions levelled things out a touch, with both sides struggling to cope as the pitch took on more and more water.
The thumping win saw City leapfrog Spurs into fourth place, and the final 6-1 scoreline has improved City’s goal difference, something the boss saw as an added bonus.
“Goal difference will be important at the end of the season,” Mancini said. “I was disappointed in the second half because we could not play football and we could not score more goals because of the conditions. It was a day to get more goals, with the way we were playing, but the weather really was not good in the second half.
It was difficult to play in, but we had to continue. I’m pleased that the referee kept the game going, but if it had not rained like it did in the second half I think we would have scored some more goals.
...Roberto Mancini
With the game sewn up, there were worries that players might pick up injuries due to the state of the pitch, but apart from Sylvinho’s departure after the break the Manager was pleased that the rest of Saturday’s team came through unscathed.
“Sylvinho injured his calf, I’m hoping it’s only a slight injury. The other players were in good shape, Micah had a small problem with his knee but I don’t think it’s a bad one.”
