PEP GUARDIOLA expected a trip to the dentist. Instead he got a night on the town.
And while there is still daylight between leaders Liverpool and the champions of the last two years, at least a hint of pressure was applied before tonight’s Merseyside derby.
Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Man City beat Burnley 4-1Credit: Getty Images
Two goals from Gabriel Jesus, a rocket from Rodri and a late Riyad Mahrez drive turned a game boss Guardiola looks forward to as much as having his gnashers checked into a stroll.
The lights may have gone out in the City dressing room just before they arrived at Turf Moor, thanks to a dodgy fuse, but the title candle most definitely flickers on after this.
And boy didn’t they need it, after just one win in five before they arrived in East Lancashire.
Eleven points behind Jurgen Klopp before kick-off. Another slip here and even Noel Gallagher would have admitted it was a lost cause.
Last orders in the last chance saloon then. And the worst place to come at a time like that?
Usually this place would be top of the list, with Burnley relishing the chance to bloody a glamorous nose. Or at least that is what you would have expected.
Jesus was at the double to lead City to victory at Turf MoorCredit: Getty Images
In truth, incredibly, unbelievably, it was never really the fire and brimstone scrap City were braced for.
True, there were a few meaty challenges, a few near-the-knuckle tackles which left players ruefully rubbing legs that will bear the scars of battle this morning.
But in truth, almost as many came from the visitors as the Clarets.
Although having a brick outhouse in the heart of the midfield in Rodri certainly helped.
So, too, did taking the fight to Burnley from minute one, pinging it around while Burnley chased the ball like a kitten darting about after a strand of cotton.
It actually took City little more than seven minutes to get the ball in the net for the first time – and although a linesman’s flag KO’d any celebrations before even VAR was really needed, it did give a hint of what was to come.
Kevin De Bruyne’s pulled back corner was met with a Paul Scholes-style 20-yard volley from Angelino, one of four changes to Saturday’s fall-guys from the Newcastle draw.
His shot was zipping wide, but was deflected in by Jesus, a yard beyond the last man, and was correctly ruled out.
Rodri scored a screamer from distance to the delight of the fansCredit: AFP
Even so, it was ominous for a Clarets side which had won only one of the last 22 meetings and none of the last eight.
De Bruyne was ghosting into space – we all know what that generally means – and the back-in-the-side Bernardo Silva was darting, jinking and wreaking havoc down the right.
No real shock, then, that City eventually broke through. Merely that it took them until midway through the first half to do so.
Fair play, too, to ref Jon Moss for playing on when De Bruyne crumpled on halfway from a Jack Cork challenge.
When he did, Raheem Sterling fed David Silva, he moved it on to Jesus, and the Brazilian opened his body before curling a very deliberate side footer into the far corner.
That lead could – probably should – have been swiftly doubled when Sterling met De Bruyne’s low cross two yards out, but was somehow denied by Pope’s legs.
Man City’s hilarious celebrations after big Burnley win as stars sing Wonderwall with disco strobe lights and decks
Riyad Mahrez bagged City’s fourth goal of the eveningCredit: Getty Images
Burnley’s closest call, and City’s closest shave, came through Dwight McNeil’s far post volley. The fact it was blocked by Chris Wood, one of his own players, summed up their night.
Of course there was always the risk that failing to make the most of their huge dominance would eventually bite them on the backside.
It needed a second…four minutes after the break it got one. And what a finish it was.
Sterling danced across the box, rolled it to De Bruyne, and he carried on the move by feeding Bernardo on the right.
A dip of the shoulder, a cut inside, the most tempting of floated cross and Jesus had got ahead of Phil Bardsley to volley past the helpless keeper.
Jesus 2, Pope 0, and Burnley most definitely needing help from the Almighty .
City’s double hero was within a foot or so of a hat-trick too, when he spun away from James Tarkowski but this time couldn’t quite curl his effort inside the post.
It didn’t really matter. City were that much in control. But just to end any doubts, they added a third, with a shot that nearly took the net from its mooring.
David Silva’s initial shot was blocked on the edge of the box. Burnley would have been as well letting him have a dig.
At least Pope might have stopped that, because he certainly wasn’t getting near the thunderbolt Rodri unleashed.
Just for good measure, substitute Mahrez drilled a fourth on 86 minutes – and although Robbie Brady at least gave Burnley some consolation, it would never be anything more.
Over to you Everton — all assistance gratefully received.
Amazon Prime Video lend Man City a light for the away dressing room at Turf Moor
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
