Erling Haaland claimed a superb first half brace at Turf Moor to put City firmly in the driving seat in our 2023/24 Premier League opener.
A late third goal from Rodrigo set the seal on the deal as the reigning champions got our defence of the crown off to the perfect start.
With recent summer signing Josko Gvardiol coming on for a late appearance to make his Premier League debut there were positives aplenty for City.
The one downside to the evening was the injury that forced skipper De Bruyne off midway through the first half.
Making his first start since being forced off with a groin complaint in the Champions League final two months, De Bruyne was forced to withdraw with a similar issue.
And the City boss confirmed that the Belgian midfielder would now face a period on the sidelines.
“It’s the hamstring again. Same position. I don’t know [how long he will be out] it depends on the magnitude of the injury but it will be a few weeks out,” Guardiola confirmed in his post-match press conference.
“Of course, he’s down because he fought a lot.
“He felt really good and I spoke with him. He wanted to start. To play for 45 minutes was the idea.
“Maybe it was a mistake. But when someone is injured after 15-20 minutes, it’s not about that, it’s about something wrong.
“If it happened after 60-65 minutes it could be fatigue of the muscle. We have to talk with the doctor and with him. He has to free his mind and he’ll be back for sure.
“I remember one year I think in our second Premier League together he was injured for a long time. He knows a little bit what it’s like.
“He lost the final of the Champions League after 25 minutes. He felt really good and I spoke with him and he said he felt perfect.
“He wanted to start play 45 or 50 minutes that was the idea. Unfortunately it happened and of course he’s disappointed but he is strong and he will be back.
“He came back from that position and he will be back now.
Just as 12 months ago away at West Ham, Haaland impressively followed up from a loss in the Community Shield by scoring a brace in City’s Premier League opener.
For the boss it was just the latest example of Haaland’s supreme finishing prowess.
And though Guardiola said there were aspects where City could improve, he was more than satisfied with the outcome – and of his side’s hunger and desire to kick on from last season’s Treble campaign.
“It was deja vu like last season against Liverpool (in the Community Shield) and then West Ham two goals. Today two goals at Burnley, quite similar,” the City boss added.
“This is not an easy place to come. Last season in the FA Cup and in the first half today we struggled a lot.
“The first game away against a newly-promoted team with the passion and love they have to be back in the Premier League always it’s so tricky.
“But Erling is an incredible weapon in behind.
“We are still away from our best form but we have to try and we have to try to not drop points in this period with this amount of games.
“How you solve this lack of preparation is a question of mentality. We were fortunate to break the game early with the goals from Erling.
“We behaved except for 10 minutes when we gave away the ball in different positions, the team showed the heart and passion and that they want to do it again.”
