Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday, and it was Sergio Agüero’s goal-line technology-assisted strike — his 20th of the season — that proved the match-winner in the 63rd minute.
Many predicted the most difficult match of City’s title run-in here, and the scoreline demonstrates how precarious it was, but the level of control exerted by Pep Guardiola’s side will give very little hope to Liverpool that either Leicester City or Brighton can stop City from successfully defending its title.
It’s now 12 EPL wins in a row for City, and this one was recorded without allowing Burnley a shot on target.
It could’ve been an easier afternoon for City had Bernardo Silva, David Silva or Agüero done more with decent opening chances — or if referee Paul Tierney had whistled for a handball on Ashley Barnes — but the opener was eventually scored by Agüero after a period of intense pressure from City.
In the end, the Argentine’s effort only crossed the goal-line by 29 millimeters.
20 goals in the @premierleague season for the 5th season in a row for Sergio Aguero! pic.twitter.com/0aClZO0ww1
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 28, 2019
It wasn’t a beautiful display from City. Burnley did a fantastic job at negating the influence of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and David Silva, but this victory was the hallmark of a title-winning side.
For all the talk of the threat posed by Burnley’s size and strength, Vincent Kompany and Aymeric Laporte looked totally unfazed. Ederson had very little to do, but he was alert to come off his line and quickly snuff out Burnley’s only real opportunity of the match.
City goes again on Monday, May 6, with a home match against eighth place Leicester City. The club wraps up play on Sunday, May 12, with an away trip to relegation-threatened Brighton.
The18 Recommends For You
