Manchester Metropolis eased to a 3-0 win over Burnley as they returned to Premier League motion in opposition to a well-recognized face in Vincent Kompany.
Regardless of being a modern-day Metropolis legend, Pep Guardiola’s aspect pulled no punches in opposition to Kompany’s newly-promoted Clarets at Turf Moor on Friday night time.
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A primary half brace from Erling Haaland and a second half effort from Rodri have been sufficient to safe the win in opposition to the ten-man Clarets, who noticed Anass Zaroury despatched off late on for a reckless problem on Kyle Walker.
However whereas it was a reasonably routine victory for final yr’s treble-winners, right here talkSPORT.com takes a take a look at what we discovered from the Premier League opener.
Erling Haaland silences critics
Haaland went into the conflict at Turf Moor with a degree to show as criticism began to construct – sure actually.
The Norwegian striker was on a run of 5 matches with no aim – his longest spell in a City shirt – which means that he confronted a process to silence that minority who dared to doubt him.
Haaland took simply 4 minutes to take action, slotting dwelling from shut vary earlier than slamming dwelling a second late within the first half, making it two from two video games thus far this season.
The 23-year-old scored 52 targets in 54 video games final time period to assist Man Metropolis to the treble and bought a telling off from Guardiola at half-time for taking situation with Bernardo Silva after he did not cross to him in a goalscoring place.
However that ruthless nature is precisely what Haaland will want over the course of the season if he is to get anyplace close to final season’s astonishing aim tally.
For people who dared to doubt him, Haaland’s two in two this season is a greater goals-to-games ratio than final season’s staggering document, so should you’re a kind of to forged doubt over his capacity, be ready to be proved fallacious.
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Kevin De Bruyne’s health a fear
Arguably Manchester City‘s greatest-ever participant, De Bruyne simply cannot catch a break.
The Belgian midfielder endured a disjointed finish to final season with a hard foot damage earlier than coming again for the Champions League ultimate.
Sadly for the second time in a Metropolis shirt, De Bruyne hobbled off within the first half of the showpiece occasion, struggling a hamstring damage that ended his season on a bitter be aware.
After working laborious in pre-season and enjoying 26 minutes of the Group Protect conflict with Arsenal, the 32-year-old began in opposition to Burnley.
However he lasted simply 22 minutes earlier than hobbling off the pitch once more, with Guardiola confirming post-match that he’ll face a spell on the sidelines after struggling a recurrence of his hamstring knock.
Chatting with Sky Sports activities, Guardiola stated: “Sadly he’s injured once more.
“He stated to me it’s an issue in the identical place because the Champions League.
“He recovered nicely, however now we’ve misplaced him for a time. We’ve to mirror and speak to the medical doctors and the physios.
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“He needs to be relaxed, get well and are available again. He was feeling actually good.”
De Bruyne shall be an enormous miss for Metropolis, who might now step up their efforts to signal a alternative as a result of his present health points.
Metropolis have already made an offer for West Ham star Lucas Paqueta, with David Moyes’ aspect valuing the participant at round £92million.
It is a important charge, however with De Bruyne dealing with a spell on the sidelines, this newest damage drawback could also be what forces the treble-winners to stump up the money wanted to get a deal accomplished.
Burnley’s indicators of promise
The night time might have led to defeat, however Kompany is seeing the positives after a tricky night time.
Dealing with champions Metropolis on the opening day of the season was the definition of being chucked in on the deep finish, however all issues thought of, the Clarets can stroll away with their heads held excessive.
Burnley tried to get on the ball and play, whereas additionally wanting pretty stable defensively in open play – one thing that may’t be stated for set items after conceding twice.
Below Sean Dyche, Burnley had a popularity for being powerful, organised and usually tough to interrupt down, however Kompany has added one thing totally different to the combo.
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In addition to conceding simply 35 targets in 46 video games final time period, the Clarets scored 87 targets – the very best within the Championship – whereas enjoying some wonderful soccer alongside the best way to maneuver them away from the Dyche-ball strategy that they’d beforehand been notorious for.
However talking after the 3-0 defeat in opposition to one of many world’s greatest membership sides, Kompany remained optimistic that his group would proceed to get higher and higher as they tailored to life within the high flight.
He stated: “We had 5 guys who began for the primary time for the membership, a participant who made his first debut in his profession and total we had possibilities.
“I knew it was going to be powerful however we’ve to take the positives from this recreation.
“You’ll be able to’t really feel good with a defeat however I’ve seen sufficient to point out that we have made progress since final time we performed them and like I’ve stated earlier than, this would be the worst we’ll be this season.
“This group is barely going to get stronger.”
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