Esteve’s double own goal and Haaland’s late brace see Manchester City past spirited Burnley

Manchester City beat Burnley 5-1 at the Etihad, a scoreline inflated by late strikes after a contest that was alive for well over an hour. Maxime Esteve turned in twice at the wrong end, Matheus Nunes volleyed City back in front on the hour, and Erling Haaland added two in the closing minutes, while Jaidon Anthony’s deflected effort had briefly dragged the visitors level before half-time.

City, who had been questioned after back-to-back league defeats in August, reasserted themselves with control and tempo after the break. Jeremy Doku was the game’s sharpest outlet throughout and was named player of the match, while Pep Guardiola lauded a markedly improved second half as his side climbed to fourth in the table.

Own goals frame a tight contest rather than a rout

City started on the front foot and Doku’s cutting runs from the left immediately stretched Burnley. His early effort was parried by Martin Dubravka, and in the ensuing scramble Phil Foden’s close-range hit ricocheted off Esteve and over the line for an unfortunate opener. The Belgian winger soon tested Dubravka again at the near post as the hosts enjoyed long spells of possession.

Yet Burnley refused to fold. From Quilindschy Hartman’s raid on the left, City were caught square and Anthony’s scuffed attempt cannoned off Rúben Dias to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was a reward for the Clarets’ resilience and a reminder of City’s vulnerability when their rhythm dips. On his Etihad return, former City defender Kyle Walker was booked for a foul on Foden, emblematic of the visitors’ edge in duels.

Burnley’s window: belief and threat after the interval

Scott Parker’s side emerged from half-time emboldened. Lyle Foster slid a low shot that deflected narrowly wide with Donnarumma scrambling, and Hartman’s long-range drive soon had the City goalkeeper batting the ball away. Earlier, when Foster broke in transition and found Josh Laurent, Foden had sprinted back to block, the kind of last-ditch intervention City needed in a surprisingly open phase.

Parker later argued that “5-1 does feel harsh – for 70 minutes we were right in this game and we caused City some problems.” His team’s posture supported the claim: compact without the ball, brave enough to attack when space appeared. For a while, the league champions looked ponderous compared to the slick, recursive patterns that once suffocated opponents.

Nunes at right-back swings the game and sets the blueprint

The match pivoted on the hour. Haaland, retreating to contest a high ball, cushioned a header across goal and Nunes, operating from right-back, arrived to smash a first-time volley past Dubravka. Relief rippled around the Etihad — and precision returned to City’s moves.

Within minutes came a third that epitomised Guardiola’s ideals. Doku drove inside, Foden turned the ball on instantly to Nunes, whose venomous cross was attacked by Oscar Bobb and then bundled over the line via Esteve for his second own goal. The rapid left-to-right recycling and penetration through the box felt like a blueprint Guardiola will point to when he speaks of the levels City must consistently reach.

Haaland’s inevitability and Doku’s electric form

City’s surge finally broke Burnley’s resistance. Doku wriggled free once more and slid a low pass that Haaland thumped in on 90 minutes. Moments later, the striker capitalised on more defensive uncertainty — Esteve again involved — to run through and finish, taking his tally to 15 goals in nine games for club and country this season.

Doku deserved his ovation as player of the match. He now has three assists in his last three Premier League appearances for City and, in Guardiola’s words, remains “unstoppable” over the first few metres. His relentlessness underpinned the early breakthrough and the late incision that removed all doubt.

Manager verdicts, numbers, and what’s next

“Really good,” Guardiola said, while admitting City “dropped [their] rhythm” for a 10- to 15-minute spell before the break. “The second half, from minute one, was so different… our spirit is much, much better. If we don’t play good, we defend as a group. The solidarity is beyond extraordinary.” With Rodri unavailable due to knee pain, Nico Gonzalez deputised in midfield as City still posted 68% possession and the kind of final-third interchanges that saw Tijjani Reijnders go close.

Parker’s verdict was measured: “Performance-wise, I was delighted for 60 to 70 minutes… Two goals come back to back that put a massive dent in us and the game goes away.” The defeat was City’s 14th straight win over Burnley in all competitions, a run featuring a 51-3 aggregate. It also marked City’s 23rd win in their past 25 matches against promoted sides. Up to fourth, they visit Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday. Burnley, a point above the drop, head to Aston Villa on 5 October, knowing the performance offered genuine positives despite the glare of the scoreline.