Manchester City open EPL with a dominant win over Burnley
Manchester City started their Premier League campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory against Burnley. The hosts controlled the match from the opening whistle, and the result reflected their strong start to the season.
Erling Haaland was on the scoresheet twice, finding the net in the 4th and 36th minutes to put City ahead early and then extend the lead before halftime. Rodri capped the victory with a well-taken goal in the 76th minute, signaling City’s continued quality across the pitch. Burnley finished the game with ten men after Anass Zaruri received a red card deep into stoppage time, adding a harsh tally to the visitors’ afternoon.
The match atmosphere was charged as fans of the home side reacted to a moment of protest before kick-off. Players knelt to highlight opposition to racism and discrimination in football, a gesture that sparked a mixed reaction among supporters in attendance.
Looking ahead, Burnley will travel to Luton Town for their next league fixture, while Manchester City, under Josep Guardiola, will host Newcastle United. Both fixtures are scheduled for 19 August, promising another test for the champions and another opportunity for City to assert their title credentials early in the campaign.
Reflecting on recent history, the 2022/23 season saw Manchester City achieve a historic treble, lifting the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and the Champions League in the same campaign. This historic feat underscored City’s sustained excellence and added weight to the expectations surrounding their current squad and managerial setup.
In a separate note, City also faced Arsenal in the FA Super Cup, a match that remains part of the club’s broader trophy ambitions and their ongoing rivalry with the London side. The result of that encounter contributed to the season-long narrative of City’s domestic and European ambitions as they prepared for the new league campaign.