Normal service resumed for Manchester City on Tuesday night, as they shook off their weekend woes to record an emphatic 1-4 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.
Gabriel Jesus had a goal ruled out for offside early on, but he opened City's account in the 24th minute via a beautiful curling shot to beat Burnley's Nick Pope. Early in the second half, the Brazilian notched his club's second of the night and his 5th Premier League goal of the season.
Eighteen minutes later, the irrepressible Rodrigo was on hand to register one of the most beautiful goals of the season so far, as he thumped a sweet volley from the edge of the box and past the long-suffering Pope to put the game beyond doubt. A few minutes from time, substitute Riyad Mahrez put the finishing touch to City's brilliant performance with a splendid goal from 20 yards.
Robbie Brady was on hand to ruin Ederson Moraes' clean sheet party in the 89th minute, as he scored a consolation goal for the home side.
Guardiola's defending champions climb to second after the win, 8 points behind their potential usurpers, Liverpool. In this article, we analyse a few reasons why City won the encounter at Turf Moor.
#3 Timid Burnley
Everyone anticipated a Manchester City win in this encounter, however, no one expected a glorified training session for Pep Guardiola's team.
Sean Dyche's men seemed to have come out of the tunnel ready to roll over and take the loss, as for much of the encounter and indeed from the first blast of the whistle, they lacked the zest required to upset Guardiola's City.
It was truly a pitiful display from Burnley in front of their home crowd, as they seemed reluctant to swing the punches required to catch City off guard. They did rally somewhat towards the end, resulting in a consolation goal.
The post-game stats correctly painted the grim tale of the encounter for Burnley, as they had a paltry 23.8 per cent of the possession, with 4 shots and 2 on target.
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#2 Dominant Manchester City
Coming off a very damaging draw away at Newcastle last weekend, another slip up was something Pep Guardiola and his men couldn't afford, and their display against Burnley was just what the doctor ordered.
The Manchester club pulled no punches from the first blast of the whistle and made it clear to Sean Dyche & his men from the onset that they intended to be unruly guests. It was a dominant performance, indeed summed up by Rodrigo's crisp volley in the second half.
The passes were sharp as well as expertly weighted, and all 4 goals were joyous to behold. At the end of the encounter, The Cityzens had a mammoth 76.2 per cent of the possession and 17 shots, with 8 on target.
#1 Gabriel Jesus steps up
Pep Guardiola's defensive woes this season have been well documented, with Aymeric Laporte's injury being the catalyst for a shambolic defensive record so far this season. He was recently joined on the treatment table by Manchester City legend, Sergio Aguero.
The Argentine is indeed one of Pep's heavy hitters this season, and with him poised to miss this weekend's Manchester derby as well, this game proved to be somewhat of a dress rehearsal for his deputy in chief Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazillian hasn't shied away from the responsibility, as in this encounter he laid down a marker with two well-taken strikes.
Twenty minutes into the game he sent a delightful curler beyond the reach of the Burnley keeper to register City's first goal of the night, and in the 50th minute, he received a cross from Bernardo Silva to complete a brace.
He was rightfully named the Man of the Match at the end of the encounter, and he's brimming with a lot of confidence ahead of the brutal affair that is the Manchester derby.