Bernardo and De Bruyne on target as City beat Burnley

Pep Guardiola’s side were superior throughout the contest and opened the scoring in the 12^th minute when Nick Pope pushed Phil Foden’s drive from the edge of the area into the path of Bernardo, who lashed home from two yards.

The Clarets had lost 5-0 on each of their last four visits to the Etihad, and the early goal suggested we might record another convincing victory, but our trademark cutting edge deserted us until De Bruyne struck 20 minutes from time.

City had seen several chances go begging up until that point, but the Belgian made no mistake when the visitors failed to clear his initial cross, latching onto the loose ball to rifle a first-time finish into the far corner off his left foot.

It sealed a well-earned three points for the defending Premier League champions, who were on the front foot from the off.

Riyad Mahrez forced Pope into a smart save early on, with a 20-yard effort that skipped off the turf, whilst the Clarets goalkeeper was called into action again when he blocked Cancelo’s first time volley after De Bruyne’s superb cross to the far post.

Burnley had fleeting moments of promise and spurned two good chances go whilst there was a one goal margin.

Maxwel Cornet fired straight at Zack Steffen after a brilliant defence-splitting pass from Dwight McNeill set him clear, whilst Josh Brownhill dragged inches wide of the post when Jack Cork’s left-wing cross dropped invitingly into his path inside the area.

City’s dominance only grew after the break, with Mahrez grazing the top of the crossbar after the impressive Bernardo picked him out with a cutback, whilst when the Portuguese playmaker sent Foden clear of the opposition defence, the youngster failed to get enough on his attempt to lob Pope.

It looked like the slender margin would create a tense finale, particularly when Aymeric Laporte blazed over inside the area, but De Bruyne’s fine strike gave Guardiola’s men the breathing space they deserved.

Steffen’s solid display

Ederson’s involvement in Brazil’s game in the early hours of Friday gave Steffen his second Premier League outing and the American once again proved he can be relied up on when needed.

He was out quickly to narrow the angle as Cornet raced clear of the City defence in the first half and made another crucial stop when substitute Ashley Barnes fired at goal with the score at 1-0.

Sean Dyche’s men are as physically an imposing side as you can face in the Premier League and whilst they had few opportunities to threaten the City penalty area, the 26-year-old never looked troubled, marshalling his back line with confidence at set-pieces.

Pep Guardiola: A satisfying victory

“My players always play well because they give everything and they did it in a difficult game after the international break. Their team is always organised. You have to adjust and adapt. I am so satisfied with the way we played.

“Bernardo is in incredibly good form alongside Rodri. Both played incredibly well the last four or five games. He is at the level of the second season when we won 98 points and he was out of this world. He is at the same level.”

Man of the Match – Bernardo Silva

It was another fine display from the Portuguese playmaker, who was the standout player at the Etihad. 

It was a performance which encapsulated everything that is good about his game, combining industry and artistry to cause the Claret’s countless problems.

Slick build-up play with Cancelo, who also impressed, instigated the move which led to his first goal and, he might have claimed a number of assists had the hosts converted some of the opportunities he created with his probing passing.

A player at the top of his game.

Stat Zone

This was Fernandinho‘s 250th Premier League appearance. He is only the second Brazilian, after Willian, to reach that milestone.

What it means

Victory moves City up to second in the Premier League, one point behind Liverpool, with 17 points from our opening eight games.

That could change if Chelsea beat Brentford in Saturday’s late kick-off.

Teams

CITY: Steffen, Cancelo, Stones, Laporte (Dias 72’), Ake, Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C) (Fernandinho 83’), Bernardo (Palmer 90’), Mahrez, Foden, Sterling.

SUBS: Carson, Slicker, Walker, Gundogan, Grealish, Zinchenko.

BURNLEY: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Collins, Pieters, Cork (Gudmundsson 72’), Brownhill, Westwood, Cornet (Barnes 56’), McNeil, Wood (Rodriguez 82’).

SUBS: Hennessey, Norris, Roberts, Lennon, Bardsley, Long.