Man City 3-1 Burnley: Alvarez nets brace, Haaland return in comfortable win

Julian Alvarez scores twice as Manchester City beats Burnley 3-1, with Erling Haaland's return and Kevin De Bruyne's first start.

Manchester City secured a dominant 3-1 victory over Burnley, with Julian Alvarez scoring twice and Rodri adding a third. It was a particularly special day for Alvarez, who celebrated his 24th birthday with a standout performance. Additionally, Erling Haaland made his return to action as a late substitute, marking his comeback from injury. Kevin De Bruyne also made his first Premier League start since August, adding to City's positive momentum.

Former City captain Vincent Kompany, now managing Burnley, experienced a disappointing return to the Etihad as his team struggled to keep up with the champions. With Burnley facing relegation, their performance was lackluster, and City took full advantage of their defensive weaknesses.

Alvarez's first goal came after a well-worked move, with Phil Foden setting up Matheus Nunes to deliver a pinpoint cross for Alvarez to head home. The striker then doubled City's lead from a cleverly-taken set-piece, showcasing the team's tactical preparation and execution.

City continued to dominate in the second half, with Foden and De Bruyne linking up to set up Rodri for an effortless finish. Despite a late consolation goal from Burnley's Ameen Al-Dakhil, City's victory was never in doubt.

Haaland's return to the field was met with enthusiasm from City fans, as he made several promising runs and came close to finding the net. Overall, it was a comprehensive and comfortable win for Manchester City, further solidifying their position as a dominant force in the Premier League.