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Manchester City 5-0 Burnley: City are back?

By J.C. Gonzalez

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley at Etihad Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley at Etihad Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City put in easily their best performance in the league this season as they dominated Burnley.

Following a shocking start to their Premier League season, if there was ever an opportunity for relegation-threatened Burnley to take points off of Manchester City, it was here. City have seriously struggled to break down teams that defend in a low block, which is precisely what Sean Dyche’s side set out to do.

However, whether it was brilliant play from City or multiple terrible displays from Burnley, City put in their first multi-goal effort in attack in the league since September. Kevin De Bruyne was immaculate, as was Riyad Mahrez, who has seriously struggled so far this campaign. Two assists from the Belgian and a first-half brace from Mahrez had the game decided in the first 45 minutes as City led 3-0 thanks to a third from the much-maligned Benjamin Mendy. Ferran Torres added the fourth in the second half on an assist from Gabriel Jesus before Mahrez completed his hat-trick for five.

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City looked comfortable and back to themselves, putting up their first big goalscoring performance this season, but whether that is due to the team truly turning a corner remains to be seen. Burnley’s defending on the day was truly awful, with multiple dangerous giveaways, and they sit in 17th on just five points with good reason.

It’s an encouraging sign for City to say the least, who are now within six points of Liverpool with a game in hand, but this needs to be shown on a consistent basis if City are to announce their presence in the title race. Chelsea, Tottenham, and Liverpool have all had the look of contenders for the entire season, so City will need an extended run of form to prove they belong in that group moving forward.

With Fulham up next, there is another real opportunity for City to put up a big number and restore confidence in the team’s goalscoring ability. Overall, this is a good day of the office, and perhaps a starting point for this team to finally get its domestic season on track.