The Premier League started with a duel between the current champion and a new member of the elite, Manchester City and Burnley.

Pep Guardiola’s team was a better rival, winning the first points of the season – 3:0. Although he had strong objections to his play, most of the work for Guardiola’s championship team was done by Erling Haaland.

As soon as the match started, already in the fourth minute, the Norwegian scored against last year’s by far the best team of the Championship.

When he moved from Borussia to Manchester City, many doubted that Erling Haaland would be a beast in the Premier League. In the premier season of the English elite, he silenced the doubters with 36 goals in 35 league games.

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And when the schedule for the new season was released, with the opening game directed by Burnley and City, did anyone doubt that the Norwegian goal machine would break the ice?

After Haaland’s leading goal from the heart of the penalty area already in the fourth minute, De Bruyne’s injury, and Kovacic’s entry and debut for the new club, there were uncertain passes and periods of draft in City’s defense for several minutes.

Haaland closed the windows and silenced the host’s attacks with a masterful goal under the crossbar for 2:0. Despite his huge contribution, Guardiola roared at Haaland at half-time. Only a perfectionist like Pep knows what bothered him.

In the second half, the Spaniard deadened the game and did not allow Burnley to threaten fairly. And Haaland did everything. Dropped balls, built himself up, won duels, unselfishly sent team mates into shooting positions. In 75th minute Rodri score 3rd goal for City and secured 3 points.

The impression is that City won an easy victory with half strength, and that Burnley, despite the invested 70,000,000 euros, will have to bring a few more reinforcements this summer.

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Perhaps we will get a more realistic picture of Burnley’s strength on August 27 when they will play against Aston Villa as part of the 3rd round (postponed duel with Luton in the second). As for City, the squad seems already complete.

His potential has been weakened by the departures of Gundogan and Mahrez, but Guardiola has so many options in front of him. Gvardiol and Kovacic only gave him more depth, and the arrival of Mahrez’s replacement, most likely Jeremy Doku, is awaited.