Burnley 0 – 3 Man Metropolis

Manchester Metropolis started the defence of their Premier League title with a snug 3-0 victory at Turf Moor as Burnley endured a chastening return to the highest flight.

Metropolis had gained their earlier 11 fixtures towards Burnley by a mixed rating of 40-1, that means their fourth-minute opener got here as no shock.

The identification of the scorer was no shock both, with Erling Haaland discovering area amongst a crowded penalty space to comb the ball into the underside nook from Rodri’s headed go.

Final season’s Golden Boot winner then rattled one other first-time end in off the bar within the thirty sixth minute, with Rodri including the third within the second half earlier than Anass Zaroury acquired a straight crimson card after VAR evaluation for an unpleasant deal with on Kyle Walker.

It wasn’t all plain crusing for Metropolis, who misplaced Kevin De Bruyne to a different harm within the first half – with Guardiola conceding he maybe should not have began the midfielder – however the ease at which they picked up the three factors is an ominous signal for the remainder of the Premier League.

How ruthless Metropolis uncovered Burnley’s set-piece frailties

Vincent Kompany warned earlier than the go to of Metropolis – the membership he captained to 4 Premier League titles as a participant – that his aspect could be at their “worst” on the Premier League’s opening evening.

With that in thoughts, a go to from the English and European champions was removed from excellent, and a aspect together with six debutants shortly discovered themselves behind as Haaland beat former Metropolis goalkeeper James Trafford when Rodri nodded down a nook.

The England U21 goalkeeper was additionally powerless to stop Metropolis’s second as Haaland swept Julian Alvarez’s go into the highest nook with an unerring end.

Burnley had earlier seen a penalty declare waved away as Zeki Amdouni went down a bit of too simply below stress from Manuel Akanji, whereas there was the disagreeable sight of Rico Lewis being struck by a lighter thrown from the gang close to the nook flag.

Metropolis additionally had to deal with the lack of De Bruyne to harm however they hardly skipped a beat, with Mateo Kovacic calmly slotting into midfield as his new aspect started to toy with their prey.

Pep Guardiola and Haaland had been then filmed in a heated dialogue as they made their manner in the direction of the tunnel at half-time, with the supervisor seemingly sad on the striker’s on-field complaints.

However Metropolis regained their composure within the second half, dominating possession and controlling the sport as Burnley started to chase shadows, whereas Rodri once more uncovered the Clarets’ vulnerability from set-pieces to information house the guests’ third from quick vary.

Burnley’s evening then went from unhealthy to worse as Zaroury noticed a yellow card flip to crimson following a VAR evaluation after he caught Walker on the calf with a rash sliding problem.

Kompany now has two weeks to work together with his aspect earlier than they tackle Aston Villa of their subsequent sport, whereas Metropolis will proceed their relentless pursuit of silverware towards Sevilla within the European Tremendous Cup on Wednesday.

Kompany sad as followers boo gamers taking a knee

Kompany insisted his aspect will enhance because the season goes on, telling Sky Sports activities: “We had 5 guys who began their first sport for the membership and we had a man who made his profession debut.

“We had possibilities. We knew it was going to be robust.

“Now we have to take the positives from this sport. You may’t really feel good with a defeat however I’ve seen sufficient to point out we have made progress because the final time we performed. This crew is just going to get stronger.”

Kompany additionally accepted he wasn’t pleased with the supporters that booed because the gamers took a knee earlier than kick-off, saying: “Let’s be trustworthy, it isn’t one thing new.

“In fact I am unable to be pleased with it – the color of my pores and skin ought to clarify why.

“The quantity of folks that booed is rather a lot lower than it was once and there is lots of people that clapped.

“I consider in time and dealing collectively. They’re a part of our household, it doesn’t matter what, and now we have to alter the mentality.”

Pep: ‘No downside’ with Haaland

Guardiola performed down any ideas of a falling out with Haaland at full-time, telling Sky Sports activities: “We needed to play extra direct with Haaland and we confirmed that within the second half. He needs on a regular basis, ball to him, ball to him.

“He was saying, ‘give it to me in behind, man to man and I will do it’. However when you’ve got two or three minutes left of the half… Kovacic and Rodri misplaced the ball.

“Bernardo [Silva] was then right to not give him one other ball. However it’s not an issue. He scored two objectives and he is actually blissful.”

Haaland conceded his supervisor was “a bit mad” at his complaints at his team-mates, telling Sky Sports activities: “It was due to the final motion when Bernardo didn’t play me in – he [Pep] was a bit mad at me.

“Everybody sees I’m creating my sport. I strive my greatest daily.

“It’s a pleasure to work with Pep. I don’t know if there may be anybody higher for a younger participant as I’m nonetheless younger, don’t neglect. I simply must benefit from the chaos round me and carry out on the pitch.”

Kovacic slots easily into Metropolis midfield

Mateo Kovacic is so up Pep Guardiola’s road that it’s a surprise the 2 haven’t labored collectively earlier than. The midfielder possesses so lots of the expertise the supervisor loves – the power to withstand the press, choose a go and adapt to numerous tactical calls for.

Whereas harder assessments than Burnley await, Kovacic’s Premier League debut for the champions was extremely promising.

Slotting right into a slender midfield trio, he quietly racked up a pass-completion share of practically 95 per cent – a quantity bettered solely by the excellent Rodri.

So easy was Kovacic’s efficiency that Metropolis had been barely affected by the lack of De Bruyne. Promising indicators for the Croatian and his new boss.

Opta stats: Haaland reaches his ton

• Haaland has now scored 100 objectives in Europe’s top-five leagues (63 for Borussia Dortmund, 37 for Manchester Metropolis), with solely Robert Lewandowski (114) netting extra because the Norwegian’s debut in January 2020.
• Haaland is just the second participant to attain 2+ objectives in a crew’s opening sport of a Premier League season in consecutive campaigns (additionally two vs West Ham in 2022-23) after Didier Drogba in 2009-10 (two v Hull) and 2010-11 (three v West Brom) for Chelsea.
• Rodri each scored and assisted in a sport within the huge 5 European leagues for the primary time ever, in his 236th look.
• Burnley have misplaced every of their final 12 conferences with Manchester Metropolis in all competitions, since a 1-1 attract February 2018 within the Premier League. It is now the Clarets’ outright longest shedding streak towards any aspect.

What’s next?

Burnley aren’t in motion once more till Sunday August 27, after they go to Aston Villa – kick-off 2pm.

Manchester Metropolis play Sevilla within the European Tremendous Cup on Wednesday – kick-off 8pm – earlier than internet hosting Newcastle within the Premier League on Saturday – kick-off 8pm.