The English champion Manchester City was more than emphatic against Championship leaders Burnley. The “Citizens” crushed their opponent in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with 6:0 and will play once again in the semi-finals.
Above all again was Erling Holland. During the week he scored five goals against RB Leipzig and now against Burnley he scored a hat-trick. He was replaced again just after the 60th minute by his manager Pep Guardiola and was unable to score any more.
He scored in the 32nd, 35th and 59th minutes, being substituted in the 63rd. With these goals, he collected a total of 42 for the season, becoming the sixth Premier League player to score 40 or more goals in a season in all competitions.
Julián Alvarez also came close to a hat-trick with two goals, while substitute Palmer was also among the scorers.
Here’s how the meeting unfolded:
FIRST HALF
In the first quarter of an hour of the match, the ball was almost entirely in City’s possession – in as much as 79% of the time. However, the visitors from Burnley showed a compact and good defense and coped with the opposition attacks. Clear goal situations were still lacking.
In the 18th minute, however, Tela showed a nice shot from distance, although there were also passing opportunities. He shot diagonally, but Ederson intervened well and headed in a corner kick.
32′ – 1:0! City went ahead after Holland’s goal of the season. Holland fought for a long ball in the air, then immediately sprinted in the opposite direction to be found by Julián Alvarez. The Burnley keeper tried to come out and cross but Holland reached out and with one touch dropped the ball under his body.
35′ – 2:0! Immediately after that, another goal fell – again by Holland. Foden was brought on from the left, advanced with the ball at his feet and passed parallel to the goal line to find Holland, who took one touch to beat the keeper.
SECOND HALF-TIME
Shortly after the start of the second half, De Bruyne had a chance from a direct free kick after the ball was placed in a comfortable position. However, the Belgian disappointed with a very inaccurate performance.
In the 54th minute, Riyad Mahrez received in a comfortable position in the penalty area. He took a one-touch shot but fired straight at the keeper, despite being a short distance in front of goal and uncovered.
Seconds later, Holland found himself in a good position in the penalty area, dealing physically with the opponent, but there Peacock-Farrell saved his team again.
59′ – 3:0! Foden fired into the far corner but his shot was blocked by the side post. However, the ball fell to Holland, who immediately shot at the empty goal and made no mistake – a hat trick.
62′ – 4:0! Riyad Mahrez broke through and released behind his back to De Bruyne, who was speeding into the penalty area. The Belgian combined with Julian Alveres, who had no problem scoring the ball in an empty goal.
68′ – 5:0! Foden crossed, the keeper saved, then it fell into the path of Palmer, who scored into an empty net.
74′ – 6:0! Alvarez kept his cool in the box, held up, then shot the keeper.
BEFORE THE DUEL
To reach this stage, Burnley saw off Bournemouth (4-2), Ipswich (0-0, replay and 2-1) and Fleetwood (1-0), while Manchester City eliminated Chelsea (4: 0), Arsenal (1:0) and Bristol City (3:0).
We cannot fail to note the fact that Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany is at the helm of Burnley. Even before the meeting, Pep Guardiola showered him with compliments and his team, which is a convincing leader in the Championship.
Guradiola repeatedly stressed that Burnley play incredible football. The team is first in the provisional standings in the second tier of football in the country, having a full 13 point lead over Sheffield United at the top.
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