Unhappy return for Kompany as City thrash Burnley

Manchester City eased into the FA Cup semi-finals with a dominant win over Championship leaders Burnley.

It was all smiles for Vincent Kompany as he enjoyed his return to the Etihad Stadium but it wasn’t too long before he found out exactly the difference between his second-tier Burnley side and the reigning English champions.

In truth, little had been going on in the first half until eventually Burnley were caught out of shape by Erling Haaland who was in behind the defence and beat the onrushing Bailey Peacock-Farrell to poke the ball home and score his 40th goal of the season.

Three minutes later, the Norwegian had the ball in the net once again. Phil Foden did well down the left-hand side before putting a low ball across the face of goal that Haaland was there to finish.

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With 59 minutes gone, Phil Foden had a shot bounce off the post inevitably into the ball-magnet Haaland who reacted quickly to bury the ball home and claim yet another hat-trick.

Kevin De Bruyne found space down the right and put a low in this time for Julián Álvarez to make it 4-0.

Mercifully for Burnley, Haaland was replaced not long after but City still had plenty of talent on display.

Cole Palmer was Haaland’s replacement and he got on the scoresheet too. This time it was a cross from Phil Foden on the right that Peacock-Farrell got a glove to but couldn’t get the ball far enough out. Palmer was the man in the right place to punish the Clarets’ goalkeeper.

Álvarez rounded out the scoring in the 73rd minute. A great through-ball from De Bruyne found the Argentinian in behind the defence able to out-muscle his defender, cut inside, and smash the ball home to make it 6-0.

It was a bit of a footballing lesson for Burnley, who won’t be looking forward to coming back to the Etihad Stadium next season when they eventually clinch promotion.

City meanwhile cruised into the FA Cup semi-final and once again scored a bucket of goals. That’s 13 goals in their last two games now.

Stat of the Day: Erling Haaland is the first player to score a hat-trick in the top flight, the FA Cup, and the European Cup/Champions League since Liverpool’s John Wark did it in the 1984-85 season.

xG: Manchester City (4.34) 6-0 (0.49) Burnley

Phenomenon

🔵 6-0 🟣 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/4NRkvGwrS5

— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 18, 2023