Pep Guardiola has suggested that Man City were not thinking about the Premier League title when they were struggling earlier this season.
Man City made the perfect start against Burnley as they were ahead after only three minutes. Their opener was an avoidable one from Sean Dyche side’s point of view as well.
Bernardo Silva’s shot from the edge of the area was saved by Nick Pope. But the England international could only parry it away to Gabriel Jesus, who lapped this up by heading home to make it 1-0.
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As you would expect, Dyche’s men held firm for the next half hour. Their defence was thwarted in the 38th-minute though.
A lovely team goal was their undoing as Riyad Mahrez played in Ilkay Gundogan in the area. The German then put it on a plate for Raheem Sterling, who calmly converted from close range.
Burnley struggled to get a foothold in the second half as City were in complete control. The hosts did not register a single shot on target all game.
It finished 2-0 which sees City record their thirteenth successive victory in all competitions. They are now three points clear at the top with a game in hand.
Speaking with BT Sport post-match, as cited by BBC Sport, Guardiola said his side played their best football in the opening 15 minutes:
“We struggled a little bit to break – the first pass, first movement. The first 15 minutes of the second half was our best football. Unfortunately, we could not score a third or fourth goal.
“In the last 15 minutes, we passed the ball without the intent to attack, just to control.
“Strikers need goals for their confidence. Gabriel Jesus played really good.”
On Manchester United’s 9-0 win over Southampton: “We have to do our job. It’s a big mistake to think about other sides. When we were 12th we were thinking forget about the Premier League, if we can achieve being in Europa League next season. It’s not about runs of games, statistics. It’s always next game, next game.”
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