Manchester City maintains pressure on leaders after Julián Álvarez beats Burnley | first division

Manchester City claimed their 10th win in 11 games unbeaten in all competitions and Erling Haaland returned from a foot problem to enjoy a 20-minute cameo. The champions' quest for a historic fourth consecutive crown is progressing apace, this victory graced by two goals from Julián Álvarez on his 24th birthday.

That brought his tally to 15 and the man he replaced in attack, in his first appearance after 10 games, had the opportunity to add his twentieth of the period and make this a perfect comeback. But, totally against type, there was an embarrassing error from Haaland after he took aim.

However, he and Pep Guardiola didn't care, because the task was to win and keep the pressure on Liverpool, something City did with ease. They remain five points behind Jürgen Klopp's team with a game less and have the same total of 46 points as Arsenal.

Guardiola said: “We know that if we lose points with the quality that Arsenal and Liverpool have (it will be a problem). I know how strong they are but we are still there. It's not just three: Tottenham and Aston Villa are still there (with 43 points).”

A two-goal burst within half an hour ended the contest. After a blocked shot by Matheus Nunes, the same player created City's first goal. Following a return from Phil Foden, the Portuguese international jumped down the right with his closest colleague Josko Gvardiol, who had entered the area from the left back. But Nunes saw Álvarez in a close header area, dropped the ball to him and the forward could not miss.

This sent Vincent Kompany back to the bench, cursing how easy it was for City. Moments later, Jérémy Doku had the freedom to dodge and cross: James Trafford lost the ball and yet Burnley I escaped.

Not for much longer. A classic Kevin De Bruyne surge through the middle of the field led to a foul. Thinking quickly, the Belgian curved the free kick across the grass to the left of the wall and Álvarez, taking a run, crossed the ball with his right boot and beat Trafford to the goalkeeper's right. This was first division 104th assist for De Bruyne, putting him ahead of Wayne Rooney on the all-time list.

A 2-0 lead after 22 minutes suggested City's 21st league game this season could already be over. However, when Wilson Odobert played in Lyle Foster, it took a sliding challenge from Gvardiol to frustrate the centre-forward. Guardiola, fresh from congratulating a City coach, presumably on the free-kick play, turned martinet and demanded that his players wake up.

They did it. Gvardiol, applying a silky touch, put Foden in, who almost had a shot, as Burnley, who had finished second from bottom and without a win in four games, continued to show why. Nunes, impressive in his wandering role, appeared from the left and fired the ball towards goal as once again the visitors unleashed disasters. They were so relaxed that City were able to take turns charging and evading the Trafford goal: Gvardiol did so and narrowly missed, connecting with a diagonal pass from the left.

Foster ended the half with a shoulder flick and a shot that sailed over Ederson's left post. It was, at least, a ray of encouragement for Burnley.

This emotion was extinguished by what happened 27 seconds into the second half. Foden trotted down the right and passed to Rodri, who calmly found Trafford's bottom left corner.

Last March City beat Kompany's team 6-0 in an FA Cup tie and the specter of a similar result was raised. Zeki Amdouni wasted the chance to at least score a consolation when he raced forward tossing the ball over Ederson's crossbar.

To further demoralize Burnley, Haaland began warming up, prompting a standing ovation from the home fans. The Norwegian stood outside, watching as City exploited possession while doing so skillfully.

When the striker returned to his seat, the contest had stalled. City's only threat was complacency, so Guardiola called up Haaland, who put on his boots for the last time for the 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa December 6th.

But the next goal-mouth action took place at the other end. Connor Roberts took down John Stones, who returned after a month's absence, and was confronted by an unhappy Rico Lewis. Ederson's weight intervened, booking City's number one and Roberts. In added time, Ameen al-Dakhil scored a consolation for Burnley.

“It's never good to lose,” Kompany said. “We have to keep going against Fulham (on Saturday).”