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Haaland double gives Man City opening win at Burnley
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Erling Haaland (R) and teammates celebrate in the Premier League season opener against Burnley in Burnley, UK, August 11, 2023. /CFP
Erling Haaland (R) and teammates celebrate in the Premier League season opener against Burnley in Burnley, UK, August 11, 2023. /CFP

Erling Haaland (R) and teammates celebrate in the Premier League season opener against Burnley in Burnley, UK, August 11, 2023. /CFP

Erling Haaland scored a double in Manchester City's 3-0 victory over promoted Burnley in the Premier League opener at Turf Moor on Friday.

Haaland slotted his side in front only four minutes into the game, and put City in cruise control in the 36th, as he attempts to top his 36-goal record last season which contributed to City's third successive English title.

Rodri drove home the treble winners third goal from close range in the 75th minute to further the home side's misery.

Burnley's Anass Zaroury was sent off in stoppage time for an ugly tackle on Kyle Walker, as the decision was upgraded from a yellow card by referee Craig Pawson after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.

City suffered an injury blow, meanwhile, as captain Kevin de Bruyne hobbled off before halftime, as he did too in the Champions League final two months ago with a hamstring injury.

"We started well. We found a goal, we struggled a bit after. We gave away balls, our pass created problems but after a while we played much, much better," said City manager Pep Guardiola.

"The first games are so important to see how our vibes are. To come here to a promoted side is always so tricky. We didn't expect them to play with five at the back but we found the goal," he added. 

(With input from Reuters)

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