Man City won easily the opening match of the Premier League
Erling Haaland lacked in the pre-season, but scored on the first touch of the ball in the opening game of the Premier League. The Norwegian striker also needed just over 30 minutes to score his 54th goal in 55 matches for Man City.
Even when scoring twice, Haaland still had to listen to coach Pep Guardiola when he entered the tunnel after the first half. That image dispels doubts about City's motivation this season, after winning the treble last season.
In fact, the defending champion team entered the game not very easily despite the early goal. After initiating the opening goal with a cross on the right for Rodri to pass to Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne only added 20 minutes. He left the field due to injury, helping Mateo Kovacic make his debut for a new team in the Premier League.
Burnley showed why they won the Premier League last season with their points and goal difference outperforming the rest. The owner of Turf Moor plays a transformative attack under coach Vincent Kompany - an old man of Man City. They were not afraid to push up close to the away team and sometimes create waves on Ederson's goal in the first half.
Burnley's ambitious play caused many difficulties for Man City, before Haaland spoke again with a superstar moment. From Julian Alvarez's cross in the penalty area, Haaland made a one-touch shot from a horizontal position with the goal, making it 2-0.
When the gap is two goals, Man City completely owns the game. Rodri, one of the best players in the first half, put an end to Burnley by scoring in the 75th minute, after a messy ball in the penalty area. Man City actively reduce the tempo for the rest of the time, to keep the strength for the European Super Cup match in the middle of the week as well as the important encounter with Newcastle in the next round.
Burnley did not create any significant chances in the second half. The evening for coach Kompany and his students took a turn for the worse, when substitute Anass Zaroury was sent off at the end of the game, in which VAR determined he was kicking Kyle Walker roughly from behind.
Man City holds the top of the table - their familiar position in the Premier League. As for Burnley, the brilliant season in England's first division may soon be forgotten, when they begin to feel the rigors of the Premier League.
