Lucky 13 as City record 13 straight wins in all
competitions to stay top of the table after win at Turf Moor
Manchester City regained their three-point lead at the top of the table after they triumphed 2-0 over Sean Dyche’s Burnley at Turf Moor.
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| Gareth Copley gettyimages |
Gabriel Jesus got City off to a flyer when he put them in front
just two minutes in. Nick Pope blocked Bernardo Silva’s close-range strike but
parried the ball in the direction of Jesus who nodded it into the back of the
net.
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| Alex Pantling gettyimages |
This was a rare mistake from the 28-year-old goalkeeper who
has a 78.4% save percentage this season which is the highest of any goalkeeper
in the league.
Raheem Sterling boosted City’s advantage eight minutes
before half-time when he got on the end of İlkay Gündogan’s menacing cross to
score on his 400th club appearance.
Sterling captained the side on this occasion and has been
involved in 17 of The Citizens 41 Premier League goals this campaign.
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| Alex Pantling gettyimages |
Pope made amends for his first-half error by preventing
Sterling from finding another goal four minutes into the second period when he closed
down the angle to keep out the forward’s shot in the penalty area.
Riyad Mahrez has proved a tough opponent for Burnley in
previous games scoring eight times against them which is more than any other
side he has faced.
The Algerian international had the ball in the net on 57
minutes but the linesman held his flag up and the goal was ruled out for
offside.
Matej Vydra then had a rare effort on goal as he controlled
Ashley Westwood’s ball over the top but couldn’t keep his volley down.
BT Sport commentator Robbie Savage thought James Tarkowski
was fortunate not to concede a penalty when he clipped Jesus in the box with 16
minutes left but referee Martin Atkinson saw otherwise.
Dyche may have had an eye on Saturday’s fixture against
Brighton when he brought on Joel Mumbongo and Josh Benson in the final stages as
City already had the game wrapped up.
He has had to rely on the youngsters a lot in recent weeks
after injuries to Charlie Taylor, Ashley Barnes, Chris Wood, Robbie Brady and
Josh Brownhill have meant that there has only been a handful of players to
choose from.
The Clarets chief will be without a fully fit squad again as
Graham Potter’s Brighton come to town. Brownhill has the best chance of being
involved out of the injured parties after nursing a knock to his foot and Dyche
spoke of the challenges these injuries have presented in his post-match
interview with BBC Sport:
“That’s a challenge that we’ve had ongoing since last season
really, we are scratching our heads a little bit because we get everyone fit
then four or five get injured again”.
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| Gareth Copley gettyimages |
Pep Guardiola takes his side to
Anfield on Sunday knowing a win will almost certainly quash Liverpool’s hopes
for the title. Jesus has led the line for City since Sergio Aguero’s absence due
to COVID-19 and could do so again on Sunday.
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| James Williamson gettyimages |
Guardiola was pleased with the striker’s
performance at Turf Moor and feels his goal will only add to his confidence going
into Sunday’s clash with the current champions:
“Strikers need a goal for their confidence, and he played really good, keeping the ball, making movements, scoring the goal, and he had other chances”.
Sources:
https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/pl-city-win-again-to-go-three-clear/188911
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55820951
https://twitter.com/BurnleyOfficial/status/1356989770958655488?s=20
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