Manchester City vs Burnley. Premier League.
Etihad StadiumAttendance54,118.
Sunday 22 October 2017 07:10, UK
Sergio Aguero equalled Manchester City's all-time goalscoring record with a first-half penalty in a 3-0 win over Burnley on Saturday.
The Argentina international, making his first appearance since a September car accident in Amsterdam, moved level with Eric Brook on 177 goals after Bernardo Silva was brought down by goalkeeper Nick Pope (30).
The Premier League leaders were made to work at the Etihad by a stubborn Burnley side, but two second-half goals by Nicolas Otamendi (73) and Leroy Sane (75) broke the visitors' resistance.
A club-record 11th straight win for City in all competitions, combined with Manchester United's 2-1 defeat at Huddersfield, means Pep Guardiola's team sit five points clear at the top of the table.
Meanwhile Burnley, who lost leading scorer Chris Wood to injury early in the first half, are ninth after their first league defeat since August 19.
Having won at Chelsea and recorded creditable draws at Anfield and Wembley, the visitors suffered an early setback when Wood limped off with a suspected hamstring injury.
That blow was compounded when referee Roger East penalised Pope for a trip on Silva, allowing Aguero to score from the spot.
The stand-in Burnley 'keeper was otherwise impressive as he kept his team in the game, saving from Bernardo Silva and Aguero again before the break.
The visitors pushed on after half-time and wanted a penalty when Fabian Delph played the ball onto his own hand, but referee East was unmoved and a late City flourish extinguished their hopes.
The damage was done by two goals in three minutes as first Sane's corner teed up Otamendi to head home, before the German lashed in the hosts' third.
Pep Guardiola: "After the Champions League it is always difficult because the Champions League is so demanding - not just physically, but mentally.
"It was a fantastic performance, we didn't concede too much and [Burnley] suffered their first defeat in away games today.
"Burnley is always tough, their physicality. They work like a team. This is so important for us and our confidence."
Sean Dyche: "They are a fine side and they came out worthy winners in the end. But it doesn't help when you have a decision like [the Manchester City penalty] go against you.
"The challenge is there for all to see and there is contact but it is minor at best. To get that high in the air from that contact is interesting."
The Belgian's excellence has become routine this season and he was brilliant again against Burnley.
After producing several highlight-worthy passes during City's 7-2 demolition of Stoke last weekend, he set up Sane on Saturday with another inch-perfect through ball.
He has now recorded more league assists (69) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues since the 2012/13 season.
City will be favourites to advance to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup when they host Wolves at the Etihad on Tuesday, before returning to league action at West Brom on October 28.
Burnley will look to regroup with Newcastle at Turf Moor up next.
