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Raheem Sterling scored twice as reigning champions Manchester City reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a comfortable 3-0 win at Burnley.
Ferran Torres ‘summer signing also claimed his first goal for the club as City, betting on a fourth consecutive win in the competition, lightening the Clarets’ work at Turf Moor.
The victory would have been even more emphatic for a strong-looking City had it not been for an excellent performance from Clarets’ second-choice goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
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It’s been a tough start to the season for Burnley, but the Northern Irishman’s display, coupled with the team’s high overall work rate and the return of injuries to James Tarkowski and Ashley Barnes, ensured they were positive for Sean Dyche.
Yet it was City night. Given his recent injury woes, manager Pep Guardiola could have chosen a less experienced team but, after Sunday’s 5-2 beating at the hands of Leicester, there was presumably a desire to deliver a solid performance.
Again there was no recognized center forward in the continued absence of Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesus, but Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne were in tandem. Riyad Mahrez and Ferran Torres made a strong attack, but Guardiola found room to introduce some young blood by delivering a debut to 18-year-old midfielder Cole Palmer.
City started off brilliantly, but Farrell-Peacock thwarted it multiple times.
The 23-year-old produced good saves to deny Sterling twice in the early stages and also avoided a chance from Palmer. Rodri also swerved and Torres shot himself.
Burnley had fewer starts, but Matej Vydra fired wide and both Charlie Taylor and Dwight McNeil were denied penalty appeals after challenges in the area.
Sterling finally made the breakthrough he and City deserved 10 minutes before halftime. Benjamin Mendy threw a dangerous ball from the left and this time Sterling gave Peacock-Farrell no chance with a powerful first hit around the corner.
City could have had more before the break when Peacock-Farrell parried an effort from Sterling and Torres cut through wood as he slid down the back post.
They didn’t have to wait much longer as Sterling doubled his tally in 49 minutes, finishing off a good play that involved De Bruyne and Torres from close range.
Burnley didn’t give up and substitute Chris Wood had a chance before Barnes shot narrowly after a good play.
However, City put the result beyond doubt in the 65th minute with an emphatic shot from Torres. Sterling couldn’t control a Mahrez pass, but the ball went through Torres and the former Valencia winger ran past Peacock-Farrell.
Sterling may have had a hat-trick shortly thereafter but was again rejected by Peacock-Farrell, who saved with his feet in a one-on-one situation.
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