Haaland nets in a brace as City beat newly promoted Burnley

• Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City defeated newly promoted Burnley 3-0 on Friday night.
• Haaland scored twice in the first period of play, and Rodri added a third goal in the 75th minute.
• Burnley concluded the game with 10 men after Anass Zaroury’s late red card.

Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City defeated newly promoted Burnley 3-0 on Friday night to start the defense of their Premier League title.

Haaland scored twice in the first period of play, and Rodri added a third goal in the 75th minute. Burnley concluded the game with 10 men after Anass Zaroury’s late red card.

With Man City great Vincent Kompany in charge of Burnley, there was an emotional component to the game, and the 37-year-old’s value would undoubtedly increase further if he was able to guide the Clarets to a successful season.

Burnley finished first in the Championship last season with 101 points, making them by far the greatest team in the division. However, Burnley is well aware of the difference in quality at this level of football, and it was evident on Friday as the champions easily secured all the points.

Man City lost the Community Shield against Arsenal on penalties last weekend, but they moved over that terrible performance at Turf Moor. Man City has let Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan go this summer.

Erling Haaland early goals

Haaland celebrates with Kyle Walker. Photo/Manchester City

The Citizens seized the lead after only four minutes when Haaland scored from close quarters after Rodri headed a Kevin De Bruyne cross into the penalty area.

De Bruyne missed a long-range shot two minutes later, but Burnley was showing signs of life. In the 15th minute, Luca Koleosho had a good effort but missed the crossbar, and the home team had the support of a loud crowd.

Burnley had their finest period of the half just before the half-hour mark, with Lyle Foster looping one just wide after shrewd work from Zeki Amdouni. De Bruyne was pulled off with an injury in the 23rd minute, which will be troubling for the Citizens.

Kevin de Bruyne had to be substituted. Photo/Manchester City

However, Man City increased their lead in the 35th minute, and it came as no surprise when Haaland scored. The Norwegian international received the assist from Julian Alvarez, and Haaland unleashed an unstoppable effort into the goal.

In the 55th minute, Rodri’s attempt had to be deflected over the crossbar by Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. Shortly after, Alvarez’s goal-bound attempt was off-target after some deft work by Phil Foden.

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But in the 75th minute of the game, Man City secured the victory when Rodri scored from inside the penalty area after Burnley failed to control the ball into the penalty area.

On the first night of the new season, Guardiola’s team declared victory with three goals as Josko Gvardiol made his Citizens debut in the 79th minute, and the champions threatened a fourth late on when Foden shot wide in the 88th.

Burnley’s difficult night took a turn for the worst in stoppage time when Zaroury was given a straight red card after a VAR review for a high, aggressive tackle on Kyle Walker.

Man City will play Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night before hosting Newcastle United the following weekend in the Premier League. Burnley will try to recover from the unpleasant result when they host Aston Villa on August 27.