EPL: Man City beat Burnley 3-0 on first day of Premier League

Manchester City kicked off their Premier League championship defence with a 3-0 victory over Burnley on Friday night.

Erling Haaland continued his goal-scoring form from last season with a brace, while Rodri sealed the victory with a goal of his own in the 75th minute.

It took only 185 seconds for the Citizens to open their account for the new campaign when the Norwegian delivered a crushing blow to the freshly promoted Clarets.

When Rodri headed down Kevin de Bruyne’s cross, Haaland pounced in the area and curled in a stunning left-foot strike into the top corner beyond Burnley keeper James Trafford after 36 minutes to virtually end the game.

Burnley, roared on by a passionate home crowd, never gave up but City’s control grew more emphatic as the game went on, Rodri turning home the third with 15 minutes left after the home defence failed to clear a free-kick.

It all ended very comfortably for City, their night only marred by another injury for De Bruyne, who limped off after only 23 minutes to be replaced by summer signing Mateo Kovacic.

Burnley had Anass Zaroury sent off in injury time, after a video assistant referee review, for a dangerous lunge on Kyle Walker.