Premier League: Man City make statement in first game; other fixtures
Premier League opener had Erling Haaland back in the old routine with a devastating display of finishing as Manchester City opened the defence of their title with a comfortable victory at Burnley.
However, Kevin de Bruyne look an early sacrifice. He limped off injured.
Meanwhile, the goal-scoring phenomenon took only 185 seconds to open his account for the new campaign, striking a blow from which the newly-promoted Clarets never recovered.
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Haaland hit 52 goals as City won the treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League last season.
In the game yesterday, Haaland pounced in the area for his second when Rodri headed down Kevin de Bruyne’s cross, then curled in a magnificent left-foot strike into the top corner beyond Burnley keeper James Trafford after 36 minutes to effectively end the contest.
Burnley, roared on by a passionate home crowd, never gave up but City’s control grew more emphatic as the game went on. Rodri turned home the third with 15 minutes left after the home defence failed to clear a free-kick.
Although it all ended very comfortably for City, their night was marred by another injury for De Bruyne, who limped off after only 23 minutes to be replaced by summer signing Mateo Kovacic.
Anass Zaroury sent off in injury time, after a video assistant referee, VAR, review, for a dangerous lunge on Kyle Walker.
Other Premier League fixtures
Below are fixtures for the weekend:
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest is already 20 minutes in. Goalless.
Other Premier League fixtures for today are:
*AFC Bournemouth vs West Ham
*Brighton vs Luton
*Everton vs Fulham
*Sheff Utdv Crystal Palace
All the above Premier League fuxrures are scheduled for 3p.m.
However, Newcastle and Aston Villa’s game is for 5:30p.m.
Tomorrow, Sunday Premier League games
While Brentford will play Tottenham Hotspurs at 2p.m., the big one, Chelsea hosting Liverpool, is at 4:30p.m.