And on an historic day at the Etihad Stadium, Sergio Aguero’s opener means he is now joint-top of City’s all-time leading golascorer list.
City are now unbeaten in their 13 matches in all competitions this season, having scored a remarkable 42 goals.
What happened?
Bernardo had the first real chance of the game, forcing a save from Nick Pope after fine link-up play between David Silva and Leroy Sane had sliced the Burnley backline apart.
The Portuguese playmaker then won a penalty when Pope brought him down inside the box. David Silva’s sublime throughball for Kevin De Bruyne put the Belgian in on goal, but his effort was parried by Pope. Bernardo, attempting to control the follow up, was then caught by the sprawling Pope, and Roger East pointed to the spot.
Aguero stepped up and made no mistake, equalling Eric Brook’s tally of 177 goals for City, a Club record which has stood since 1938.
City were nearly the architects of their own downfall when Kevin De Bruyne’s loose pass was intercepted by Jack Cork. He found Ashley Barnes, who laid it off for Scott Arfield to shoot, but his effort was blocked for a corner.
Aguero forced Pope to save with his feet at the near post after powerful effort from a tight angle, and moments later the Argentine looked certain to move ahead of Brook and score his 178th City goal when he fired left-footed towards the bottom corner - but Pope made a superb stop low to his left and Bernardo could not score from the follow up.
Nicolas Otamendi headed home Leroy Sane’s corner to double City’s lead with 20 minutes remaining, before De Bruyne’s defence-splitting pass sent Sane racing clear and he finished expertly to make it three.
Sane flashed one wide late on after substitute Ilkay Gundogan played him in on goal as City looked to add some gloss to their performance.
City were far from their attacking best but another fine three points means they move five clear of Manchester United, who lost to Huddersfield.
CityMatchday app Man of the Match
Sergio Aguero. Made his comeback 23 days after suffering a broken rib in a road traffic accident and equalled a long-standing Club record. He was a livewire throughout and will feel disappointed not to have gone ahead of Brook and become the Club’s outright all-time leading scorer.
Up next
City play host to Wolves on Tuesday evening in the Carabao Cup last 16. A win in that game would see City set a new Club record of 12 consecutive wins.
Their next Premier League assignment sees them travel to West Brom on Saturday.
