Manchester City vs Burnley LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Julian Alvarez celebrated his 24th birthday with two goals as Manchester City cruised to a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Burnley at the Etihad Stadium to climb to second in the Premier League table.
It was a stroll for the champions as Rodri added a third goal to ensure a 13th win in a row against Burnley, during which time City have scored 46 goals and conceded two. Ameen Al Dakhil netted a late consolation for the visitors.
Pep Guardiola’s side moved to 46 points from 21 games, two behind leaders Liverpool, who play Chelsea later on Wednesday. Burnley are second bottom and seven points from safety having played a game more than Luton Town in 17th.
City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne made his first start for City since the opening day of the season and striker Erling Haaland came off the bench for the final 20 minutes after missing the previous 10 games due to injury.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Manchester City vs Burnley LIVE: Premier League updates
Manchester City host Burnley in midweek Premier League clash
GOAL! Man City 3 Burnley 1 (Ameen Al Dakhil 90)
GOAL! Man City 3 (Rodri 46) Burnley 0
GOAL! Man City 2 (Julian Alvarez 22) Burnley 0
GOAL! Man City 1 (Julian Alvarez 16) Burnley 0
Man City: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Matheus Luiz, Foden, De Bruyne, Doku, Alvarez
Burnley: Trafford, Vitinho, O'Shea, Ekdal, Al Dakhil, Gudmundsson, Berge, Brownhill, Odobert, Foster, Amdouni
Manchester City FC 3 - 1 Burnley FC
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:29
City make light work of Burnley after a 3-1 victory at home keeps the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool. Guardiola’s side move level on points with Arsenal, leaping up to second after a convincing triumph against the Clarets, who offered little throughout. Birthday boy Alvarez was twice on target in the first half, heading in Nunes’ right-sided cross before finishing from De Bruyne’s quick-thinking pass after a well-worked free-kick routine. Almost immediately after the interval, Foden burst down the right flank to tee up Rodri, who converted past Trafford with ease to put the hosts out of sight. Cruising to three points, Guardiola was able to welcome back the fit-again Haaland, who looked somewhat off the pace after a lengthy injury lay-off. If any consolation for Kompany on his Etihad return, Al Dakhil pulled a late strike back after a wonderful Fofana run left Gvardiol in his tracks in the 93rd minute. Guardiola’s men next visit Brentford on Monday, while Burnley – who remain seven points adrift of safety in 19th – host Fulham on Saturday. That is all we have time for here, until next time! Goodbye for now.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:25
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 3-1 BURNLEY
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:25
Doku speeds down the right-hand side but his low cross to Haaland is turned behind by Al Dakhil, who has been involved at both ends in the last few minutes!
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:23
GOOOOOOOOOOOOALLL! BURNLEY GET A CONSOLATION STRIKE! The Clarets, finally, score at the Etihad. Fofana breezes past Gvardiol down the right-hand side, drilling a low cross towards the near post. Ederson cannot reach it at full stretch and Al Dakhil bundles in from point-blank range to make it 3-1.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:23
Assist David Datro Fofana
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:22
Gomez is needlessly caught offside as this game continues to limp towards full-time. The City man-of-the-match award has just been announced as Alvarez, unsurprisingly.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:21
There will be a further five additional minutes to end this Premier League clash, which City have dominated.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:20
Haaland breaks through on goal but lacks the sharpness, with his pass eventually cleared when perhaps he should have pulled the trigger.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:17
Substitution Julián Álvarez Sergio Gómez Martín
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:17
Rodri hands over the captain’s armband to Stones, coming off after his second-half goal and being replaced by Kovacic.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:16
Substitution Hjalmar Ekdal Han-Noah Massengo
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:16
Alvarez's first corner is headed behind by O'Shea, despite Trafford's best efforts to keep the ball in play. The City forward's second delivery is again cleared at the near post by the Burnley defence.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:15
CHANCE! Lewis bursts forward down the right-hand side before offloading to Nunes, who dinks a delicate cross towards the far post. Haaland towers above O'Shea but the Burnley defender manages to usher behind for a corner.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:13
City have won 15 of their last 16 Premier League games against newly promoted clubs (D1) since a 2-1 defeat to Leeds United in April 2021. That Leeds reverse is their only loss in their last 49 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W43 D5).
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:12
Rodri clips a quick free-kick over the top but Haaland, after holding off Ekdal, miscues a left-footed strike and slices the wrong way towards Trafford's goal. Even the City striker can smile about that one!
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:11
Doku takes the ankles of Zaroury, conceding a free-kick on the edge of the City area. The Belgium winger is also cautioned for his cynical trip.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:10
Doku has options to his left and right but somehow fails to find any of them and passes straight through to Trafford. Haaland was ready and waiting to crown his comeback with a simple finish.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:06
Kompany makes another switch, bringing off Odobert for Zaroury.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:06
Substitution Philip Walter Foden Jack Peter Grealish
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:05
Unsurprisingly, Roberts is cautioned for an off-the-ball incident when pushing over Stones.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:05
Yellow Card Ederson Santana de Moraes
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:05
A poor cross is comfortably collected by Ederson before Roberts slams Gvardiol to the floor off the ball. A melee ensues and the referee will have to get his cards out for this altercation.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:02
Vitinho makes a mess of his defensive duties, falling to the floor and hooking behind for a corner. Thankfully for the Burnley right-back, the away side clear when Ake lurks inside the area.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:01
As one world-class talent comes off, another is introduced. The fit-again De Bruyne is replaced by the returning Haaland, who could punish a tired Burnley defence.
Manchester City vs Burnley
21:01
OVER! City cut through the Burnley defence with ease before Doku cuts back for De Bruyne. The Belgium international aims for the top-right corner, but curls a right-footed strike over. That will be his last involvement, too.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:59
Nice football from Burnley sees Odobert cut back for Brownhill, who cannot latch onto the second part of his one-two with Berge. It is better from the Clarets at least.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:57
Burnley are winless in 16 top-flight away games against City (D5 L11) since a 5-2 victory in March 1963. That run is going to continue here after a dominance performance from the home side.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:55
City have had 84.5 per cent possession over the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Utter dominance is no surprise for Guardiola's men, who are in complete control.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:54
SAVE! Fofana does well down the right-hand side before finding Berge, who offloads to his left. Brownhill has space and bends a right-footed strike that Ederson stops with ease.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:53
Kompany's changes suggest the Burnley manager has seen enough and just wants to avoid further punishment. That may be entirely City's choice, though, as Guardiola's side can attack at will here.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:50
Haaland has scored five goals in just two appearances for City against Burnley in all competitions, netting a hat-trick in the FA Cup last season and a brace in the opening Premier League game this term. He averaged a goal every 29 minutes against the Clarets so far before this clash. When will Guardiola introduce him?
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:50
Finally, to complete the triple substitution, Fofana comes on for his Burnley debut as Foster comes off up top.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:50
Perhaps to offer Vitinho more cover against Doku, right-back Roberts also replaces striker Amdouni, who will be kicking himself after his miss earlier in the second half.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:50
Kompany has seen enough, making a triple change. Gudmundsson, who almost teed up Amdouni in this half, makes way for Ramsey.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:48
Doku bursts down the left flank but his driven cross deflects into the waiting arms of Trafford. Fofana appears set to make his Burnley debut after moving on loan from Chelsea.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:47
How many times? Vitinho bundles Doku over and concedes yet another free-kick, but once again gets away without a yellow card. The Burnley right-back may soon be off as Kompany prepares some changes on the touchline.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:44
Liverpool are 1-0 up at home to Chelsea, meaning City will still trail the Premier League leaders by five points as things stand. Back in Manchester, Rodri wins a corner on the left flank after overlapping the imperious Doku.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:42
AMDOUNI HAS TO SCORE! Doku and Ake clatter into one another in an aerial duel, allowing Burnley to break with speed. Gudmundsson slides through for Amdouni, who blazes over from the right of goal with just Ederson to beat. That sums up this game for the Clarets.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:41
This is relentless from City, who almost find a fourth as Foden spins a pass around the corner for De Bruyne. This time, Trafford wins the battle by racing off his line to collect.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:40
Guardiola's side have scored eight goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, only Arsenal (nine) have managed more in the Premier League this season. Burnley, once again, simply cannot cope.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:38
City have won 16 of their last 17 meetings with Burnley in all competitions (D1), winning the last 12 in a row by an aggregate score of 43-1. That run will continue here, for certain.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:36
Assist Philip Walter Foden
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:36
The second half is under way!
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:21
Burnley are already seven points adrift of safety and performances like this, albeit against far superior opposition, show why. Kompany's men have twice switched off in defence, something they can ill-afford to do against Guardiola's world-class line-up. The only question is when City will introduce Haaland, if they want to inflict further damage in the second half.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:20
City are in complete control as the half-time whistle sounds, leading a woeful Burnley 2-0 at the break. Alvarez headed in from Nunes' simple cross after 16 minutes before doubling his account – and the home side's lead – from De Bruyne's quick-thinking free-kick soon after. The Clarets have offered nothing, yet to have a shot on target or threaten anything other than a routine defeat on the road.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:19
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 BURNLEY
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:18
There will be just two minutes to end this first half, with City in complete control after Alvarez's brace.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:18
Think! Alvarez and Rodri evade the press before Berge commits another needless foul. That is not the first time the Burnley midfielder has conceded a cheap free-kick.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:15
WIDE! It is better from Burnley, who have their first sight at goal. Gudmundsson prods over the top for Foster before the striker drifts inside and whips a right-footed effort just wide to Ederson's left.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:14
Burnley have not had a shot on target so far in this game. Whatever Kompany set up to do, it has not worked. A rethink is desperately needed at half-time.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:12
De Bruyne plays a delicate throughball down the inside left-hand channel for Doku, whose cross is prodded behind by O'Shea. Alvarez was waiting for a tap-in but that does not matter, as the offside flag is up again.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:11
De Bruyne's wide free-kick is so close to Nunes' head but Trafford punches away, before the assistant belatedly flags for offside either way. This could end any score at this rate.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:09
Doku blasts past Vitinho once again, drawing a foul when eventually reaching the left of the area. The Burnley right-back has no chance against the City winger at the moment.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:07
WIDE! Nunes regains possession near the halfway line, breaking the lines with a driving run before offloading to Gvardiol. The left-back cuts inside past Vitinho but curls his right-footed effort wide to Trafford's left. Burnley look so vulnerable in defence.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:05
Alvarez is the 10th player to score 2+ goals in a Premier League match on their birthday, while at the age of 24, he's the youngest to do so. What a treat!
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:03
Another run down the left-hand side sees Nunes in space before his low centre is cleared behind by Al Dakhil. De Bruyne goes short from the right-sided corner before Doku is dispossessed by Gudmundsson.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:03
Ake is left on the floor after being caught by a stray Foster elbow. There was no malice in the challenge but the City centre-back needs a moment to regather his breath.
Manchester City vs Burnley
20:01
Amdouni crashes into the back of Ake but City fail to keep possession from the free-kick. Foster thinks he has a chance over the top but Ederson speeds out to head away before a belated offside flag goes up.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:59
SAVE! More problems come down Burnley's right as Doku races away before Nunes makes it into the box. The Portugal international smashes a right-footed effort from a tight angle, aiming for the top-right corner. Trafford is alert, though, and parries away a smart stop.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:58
A wonderful Gvardiol tackles denies Odobert a chance at goal. Brownhill's corner falls to Berge but the Norway midfielder swings and misses at a left-footed volley.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:57
Kompany will be furious on the touchline. Burnley were well in this game after 15 minutes, defending with an organised structure and keeping City at bay. Now, they are two goals down and, most likely, already out of this contest.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:55
De Bruyne has been involved in seven goals in his last six appearances against Burnley in all competitions (two goals, five assists). The Clarets will be sick of the sight of him!
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:53
Goal Julián Álvarez
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:53
CLOSE! Doku has the beating of Vitinho at will, breezing past the full-back before slamming a low left-footed cross towards the near post. Trafford spills the initial save but Alvarez is nowhere to be seen when the rebound falls inside the six-yard box.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:52
Yellow Card Hjalmar Ekdal
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:51
Burnley have failed to win in their last 14 matches when conceding the opening goal in the Premier League dating back to April 2022 against Watford. This could be a long game now for the Clarets.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:50
De Bruyne wants to get in on the action now. The Man City midfielder lines up a long-range effort that is stopped at source by a wall of Burnley shirts.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:48
Assist Matheus Luiz Nunes
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:48
De Bruyne marked his Premier League return from injury last time out with a goal and an assist from the bench against Newcastle. The Belgian has been involved in six goals in his last five appearances against Burnley in all competitions (two goals, four assists). He has not been too involved here, yet.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:45
Gudmundsson's outswinging corner is cleared at the first man before Rodri and De Bruyne fail to start a counter-attack down the right wing. This Premier League clash has not got going so far.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:45
Trafford launches a handy long pass out to Al Dakhil before Brownhill's disguised pass sees Odobert win Burnley's first corner of the game. The Clarets are getting excited in the away end!
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:43
Guardiola's side have already had over 65 per cent possession in the opening stages, but are yet to make their dominance pay. De Bruyne continues drifting into pockets of space between the lines but Brownhill and Berge are doing a decent covering role at the moment.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:41
Just as Burnley sense an opportunity, Berge fells Nunes and relieves the pressure on the City backline. The home side have not been able to find too much room as of yet, with Kompany's men well-drilled out of possession.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:40
De Bruyne's free-kick is deflected over by a leaping Brownhill in the Burnley wall. The Belgian wanders over to take the corner, swinging towards the near post before Trafford deals with the danger.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:38
Berge has a handful of Nunes' shirt, and perhaps his neck, conceding a needless free-kick on the edge of the Burnley area. De Bruyne, Foden and Alvarez will all fancy this one...
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:37
Since the start of the 2017-18 season, no side has won more Premier League away games against the reigning champions than Burnley (two), with the Clarets winning at Chelsea (August 2017) and Liverpool (January 2021) in that time. Can they secure another unexpected victory here?
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:36
Careful! Foden and De Bruyne exchange a delightful right-sided one-two before the former loops a right-footed cross towards the far post. Trafford claims initially, parrying down an unconvincing grab before collecting when Doku steams in towards the loose ball.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:34
Doku makes a mockery of Gudmundsson and Vitinho on the left flank but Burnley regroup, breaking down the other end before settling back into possession with goalkeeper Trafford. The Man City winger will be encouraged by that early domination in a two-on-one situation.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:31
Referee Samuel Barrott gets this Premier League clash under way on the blue side of Manchester!
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:25
Burnley are without a goal in 12 hours and one minute of football against City in all competitions since Robbie Brady managed a consolation strike in a 4-1 loss in December 2019. The last Burnley player to score at the Etihad was Ashley Barnes, in an FA Cup tie in January 2018. Can the Clarets find an unlikely result here? We’re about to find out as kick-off approaches…
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:25
Kompany makes one change from his last starting line-up against Luton, with Berge coming into midfield for Cullen, who drops to the bench. Fofana, who joined on loan from Chelsea in January, could make his debut as a substitute here at the Etihad. Trafford is also between the posts on his return to his former employers.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:15
Haaland is deemed only fit enough for the bench as Guardiola makes six changes from the FA Cup win over Spurs. De Bruyne comes in for his first start since a lengthy injury lay-off, captaining a side that also sees Nunes, Stones, Lewis, Doku and Ederson come in. Alvarez leads the line for City, who will at least have their talismanic Norway forward to call upon from the substitutes after his return from a foot issue.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:04
SUBSTITUTES: Jack Cork, Connor Roberts, Anass Zaroury, Aaron Ramsey, David Datro Fofana, Josh Cullen, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Han-Noah Massengo, Arijanet Muric.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:04
BURNLEY (4-4-2): James Trafford; Vitinho, Dara O’Shea, Hjalmar Ekdal, Ameen Al Dakhil; Johann Gudmundsson, Josh Brownhill, Sander Berge, Wilson Odobert; Lyle Foster, Zeki Amdouni.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:04
SUBSTITUTES: Erling Haaland, Sergio Gomez, Kyle Walker, Stefan Ortega, Mateo Kovacic, Oscar Bobb, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:04
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Rico Lewis, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol; Rodri, Matheus Nunes; Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku; Julian Alvarez.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:00
Returning to his old stomping ground in the blue side of Manchester, Vincent Kompany will be desperately hoping for an unlikely result against his old employers. The Belgian’s Burnley are winless in four games across all competitions and were held to a frustrating draw with fellow strugglers Luton Town in their last Premier League outing. The Clarets are some seven points adrift of safety already, with Championship football appearing increasingly likely to be played at Turf Moor next season.
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:00
Pep Guardiola’s side trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by five points heading into this Matchday 22 clash, albeit having played a game fewer. City were 3-2 victors over Newcastle United in their last league outing, saved by some late brilliance from the fit-again Kevin De Bruyne and Oscar Bobb. The reigning English champions were also 1-0 winners against Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, when Nathan Ake provided a last-gasp deciding goal in north London.
Manchester City vs Burnley
18:30
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
Manchester City vs Burnley
19:00
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Burnley at Etihad Stadium.
