BURNLEY 1, MAN CITY 2
Manchester City’s Barclays Premier League victory at Burnley revealed a trait that will be vital if they are to become champions.
It was far from the fluent, purist football manager Pep Guardiola advocates as City ground out an important victory at Turf Moor where they lost on their last visit when Manuel Pellegrini was manager.
City displayed resilience and battling qualities, especially after falling behind early in the game to a Dean Marney goal.
They hit back through two predatory goals from Sergio Aguero, his 15th and 16th of the season as City extended their unbeaten run to six games having previously not won in half a dozen games.
When asked about them Aguero’s strikes being scrappy, Guardiola replied: “They were beautiful goals.”
Guardiola added it was great to have won away to both Stoke and Burnley, two of the sides with a more direct style of play.
He was especially pleased bearing in mind Burnley had the second best home record in the Premier League.
“I saw them against Liverpool and Arsenal and they are so tough to play against. They do really well, and I am impressed with them. For sure they can stay in the Premier League.”
Guardiola added it was difficult having played away to Crystal Palace, Borussia Monchengladbach and Burnley in the last week.
But now they have one full week to prepare for next weekend’s home game against Chelsea.
City made five changes to the side that started Wednesday’s Champions League game.
Out of the team went John Stones, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jesus Navas who were replaced by Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Nolito, Yaya Toure and Fernando.
Burnley were without England keeper Tom Heaton as Paul Robinson took over in goal to play his first game for two and a half years.
The Clarets had an early penalty appeal after Jeff Hendrick went down in the box while Aguero had a chance when he forced an early save from Robinson.
The deadlock was broken after quarter of an hour when a defensive clearance fell to Marney whose drive arrowed low to the right of keeper Claudio Bravo.
Robinson made another decent save, this time to deny Nolito.
City, who created little due to Burnley’s incredible workrate and resolute defending, equalised after 37 minutes with a scrappy goal, his 15th of the season.
Burnley failed to clear a Raheem Sterling corner and Aguero scrambled the ball home at the far post.
Aguero was denied a second goal minutes later by the fingertips of Robinson who made a super stop.
Yet Burnley might have snatched a second goal in stoppage time when Sam Vokes forced a diving save from Bravo.
Burnley remained solid, despite losing Marney and Johann Gudmundsson late in the opening half.
City took the lead after 61 minutes when Fernandinho got to the byline and cut the ball back to Aguero to convert at the near post as he got ahead of Matt Lowton.
Burnley remain resilient after falling behind with Hendrick having claims for another penalty rejected.
And at the death, Burnley had a couple more chances as substitute Ashley Barnes twice went close with headers, the second forcing a diving save from Bravo.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche was happy with the response after Monday’s 4-0 defeat at West Brom.
He said: “It was a massive reaction to Monday. I am disappointed with the outcome, but we went about it the right way.
“The goals we conceded were two blips in a good game plan. We made it awkward, tough and pressed, and did it well against a top side and created chances.
“How we didn’t get a penalty, I am still scratching my head about it.”