Young Foden thrilled after scoring a brace as defending champions rout Burnley 5-0 to keep Liverpool waiting for EPL coronation; Aguero injury overshadows win
Man City's Phil Foden celebrates scoring against Burnley during their EPL match on Monday. pic/AFP
Manchester City thrashed Burnley 5-0 at an empty Etihad to ensure Liverpool will not be able to clinch the Premier League title when they face Crystal Palace tonight. However, the match was overshadowed by a banner flown over the stadium at the start of the match reading: "White lives matter Burnley". The disparity of resources between the sides was shown even before kick-off as Burnley boss Sean Dyche could not even fill his bench, while Pep Guardiola was able to make eight changes from a 3-0 win over Arsenal on Wednesday.
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Dyche has been left frustrated by the Burnley board's refusal to extend contracts of five players who are out of contract at the end of the month. Phil Foden, 20, made the most of his chance to start for City as he opened the floodgates with a sweet strike from outside the box. "That was my best game in a City shirt," said Foden. "I am just happy how the team are playing at the moment. We're looking sharp."
Riyad Mahrez then killed the game as a contest with a quick double before half-time. The Algerian left Charlie Taylor trailing on the floor before firing into the far corner on his weaker right foot. VAR awarded Mahrez the chance to double his tally from the penalty spot after Mee caught Sergio Aguero.
'Sergio's injury not good'
The Argentine striker had to be replaced by Gabriel Jesus and Guardiola admitted Aguero's knee injury "doesn't look good". "He felt something in his knee," said Guardiola. "He struggled in the last month with some pain in his knee." Retaining their Premier League title may be beyond City as they trail Liverpool by 20 points, but Guardiola's men still have the chance to add the FA Cup and Champions League to the League Cup they won in March.
Man City striker Sergio Aguero winces in pain after suffering an injury on Monday. pic/AFP
The fierce competition for places appears to be having an effect as there was no let-up after the break. Bernardo Silva's low cross was turned home by his namesake David for the hosts' fourth. Foden then rounded off the scoring at the far post after Gabriel Jesus failed to convert David Silva's cross.
Sane returns
There was another positive for City late on as Leroy Sane replaced Foden to make his first appearance since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage in August. The German international seems certain to leave the club at the end of the season after rejecting a new contract amid interest from Bayern Munich. But Sane could still have a part to play in City's quest for a cup treble before the end of the campaign.
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