Manchester City cruised to a 3-1 win over Burnley at the Etihad Stadium – and Kevin De Bruyne made jaws drop in the first-half.
City continued their perfect start to 2024, and did not really get out of second gear against Vincent Kompany’s Clarets.
Julian Alvarez hit a first-half double on his 24th birthday, with Rodri scoring City’s third very early in the second-half.
City then played out the rest of the game, with Pep Guardiola making a string of changes including bringing Erling Haaland on for his first appearance back from injury.
Right at the end Burnley grabbed a consolation through Ameen Al-Dakhil, but it was a very comfortable night for City – and the game’s highlight was undoubtedly the sublime assist from Kevin De Bruyne…
Robbie Savage left amazed by Kevin De Bruyne and his brilliant assist v Burnley
After Alvarez had opened the scoring with a header after a great run from the brilliant Matheus Nunes, City then had a free-kick in the 22nd minute.
Kevin De Bruyne stood over it, and raised both of his arms, as if to indicate that he would be sending a cross to the back post. The Belgian did look at the pack of players as if he was going to cross the ball.
But the £55 million Belgian threw the Burnley players off, taking his free-kick and finding Alvarez with a low ball.
The striker latched onto the perfectly weighted pass, finishing first time past former City goalkeeper James Trafford into the far corner.
It was a sensational ball from De Bruyne and top finish from Alvarez, and Robbie Savage was left in awe on commentary for TNT Sports. He said: “Well that is absolutely magnificent. No other words to describe that.
“The timing of the run, it’s planned on the training ground, they must have studied Burnley and what they do. Just watch that. The weight of the pass is quite remarkable. Then the finish is brilliant, that is absolutely magnificent. The weight of the pass is so important to allow Alvarez to hit it first time – it is brilliant.”
World-class from KDB
What vision it was from De Bruyne firstly, but then to execute the pass was just superb.
De Bruyne’s performance tonight was absolutely top notch considering he hasn’t been back very long, but he does not appear to be rusty at all.
He’s come back and made an instant impact for City, and it’s so ominous for the other Premier League title contenders.
To have a player who can see and make passes like this is borderline unfair.
