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Erling Haaland brace and two Maxime Esteve own goals help Man City thump Burnley

Two own goals from Maxime Esteve and a late brace from Erling Haaland helped Manchester City secure a 5-1 victory over Burnley, marking their 14th consecutive win against the Clarets.

Despite much pre-match attention on Kyle Walker’s return to the Etihad Stadium, it was City’s starting right-back Matheus Nunes who scored the crucial second goal. In the 61st minute, Nunes rifled in a volley to restore City’s lead after Jaidon Anthony had cancelled out an early opener by Esteve’s own goal.

Just four minutes later, the unfortunate Esteve inadvertently turned in a shot from Oscar Bobb, effectively settling what had become a nervy game for City. Haaland then added two more goals in the final four minutes, adding some gloss to the scoreline.

Pep Guardiola had said on Friday that he used to sleep like a baby knowing Walker would shut down his opponents’ left-wingers. However, Jeremy Doku enjoyed himself against the former City captain, and it was no surprise that the opening goal came from that side.

A fortunate bounce helped Doku get past Walker inside the box. His initial shot was well saved by Martin Dubravka but the rebound landed inside the goal area, where Esteve put it into his own net under pressure from Phil Foden.

Doku then forced another good save from Dubravka with a low shot from the angle. Nico Gonzalez, starting at the base of midfield with Rodri resting ahead of next week’s trip to Monaco, had a follow-up effort deflected wide.

City appeared to be cruising, but Burnley grew into the game after the half-hour mark. They were rewarded with their only goal — their third against City in the last 14 meetings — seven minutes before halftime. Following a series of loose passes from City, Burnley won possession in the hosts’ half and quickly switched play. Quilindschy Hartman delivered a low cross, which Anthony swept home with a slight deflection off Ruben Dias, marking Dias’ fourth goal in six Premier League games this season.

With their tails up, Burnley continued to push. Lyle Foster sent an ambitious overhead kick wide, and soon after, the visitors came close again early in the second half. Foster’s shot from the edge of the box deflected off Nunes, but City were finding it tough to break down Burnley’s determined defense.

City did not have a clear chance in the second half until Tijjani Reijnders lifted a shot over the crossbar just before the hour mark. Minutes later, City were back in front. Josko Gvardiol’s deep cross found Haaland, who headed it back for Nunes to volley into the roof of the net from close range.

During celebrations, Guardiola made a substitution, replacing Savinho with Bobb, and within minutes Bobb was instrumental in City’s third goal — another own goal from Esteve. Nunes sent in a low ball from the right, and although Bobb did not make clean contact, the ball brushed off Esteve and into the net.

With Burnley’s resistance broken, City took control and piled on the chances. Haaland missed a fine opportunity in the 86th minute but made amends by turning in Doku’s cross in the 90th minute. He then capitalized on a mix-up between Esteve and Florentino Luis to add a fifth goal in stoppage time.

The comprehensive win keeps Manchester City firmly on track, showcasing their attacking strength and resilience against a stubborn Burnley side.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/erling-haaland-brace-and-two-maxime-esteve-own-goals-help-man-city-thump-burnley-1811956.html

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