Guardiola opens up on title tussle

A win would see City move above Chelsea in the table, but Toure says they aren’t their only threat to the Premier League title.

Burnley, hindered by the loss of Marney and Johann Gudmundsson to injury, was unable to avoid a third loss at a typically vociferous Turf Moor this season despite a vast improvement from Monday’s 4-0 thrashing at West Brom.

City manager Pep Guardiola sprang some surprises in his lineup, dropping Kevin De Bruyne to the bench and leaving out John Stones, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan completely.

In an eventful opening spell, Burnley appealed for a penalty when Nicolas Otamendi appeared to shove Jeff Hendrick as a free kick came into the area after eight minutes, but referee Andre Marriner said no.

It was Sean Dyche’s side that took a shock lead, with Dean Marney’s 14th-minute effort, City had some decent efforts before Aguero’s equaliser in the 37th minute.

The first goalscorer was far less predictable, Dean Marney scoring for the first time in the Premier League for seven years and in some style, but Aguero equalised eight minutes before the break and then netted the victor on the hour mark. The Argentine poked home a loose ball in the box to the bottom left corner which was assisted by Otamendi.

Following halftime, Aguero doubled his tally on the day after poking home again from a failed Burnley clearance.

GOOALL! Burnley host Manchester City in this English Premier League clash on November 26 at the Turf Moor Stadium.

“Man City and Liverpool”.

Burnley, with former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson replacing current Three Lions custodian Tom Heaton – out with a calf strain – started with all guns blazing.

Origi took the Brazil international’s place and he gave Liverpool a reward for their dominance in the 75th minute with his first league goal of the season.

The midfielder did not want to go into too much detail when asked how much he has had to change his game to win over Guardiola but does seem to believe he can now offer the City boss what he wants.

City boss Pep Guardiola was anxious about the toll on his players after his side’s Champions League exertions at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Wednesday, with his side having lost one and drawn two of their past three games following outings in Europe.

In fact, it was Fernandinho who set up Sergio Aguero’s second-half victor by reacting to a loose ball and powering past a defender before cutting the ball back for the Argentine to finish.

“We have to go game by game, step by step”.

The former England man nearly gave up after falling out of favour at Blackburn but was drawn back in by Burnley, where he has spent 10 months diligently awaiting a chance.