Some pessimistic Burnley fans predicted that this could be a PL record scoreline, and worst fears looked set to be realised inside three minutes when Rayan Cherki saw his effort tipped onto the crossbar by Martin Dúbravka.
City’s onslaught yielded the opening goal just two minutes later when Jérémy Doku threaded Erling Haaland through on goal, and no prizes for guessing the outcome, as he dinked over Dúbravka and into the far corner.
City were let off the hook a couple of times by the Clarets, who saw big chances come and go when Quilindschy Hartman and Zian Flemming both squandered glorious chances to level the scores.
With goal difference likely to be a big factor in a tight title race, City were unrelenting in their forward-thinking approach. Nico O’Reilly, Bernardo Silva and Cherki all had opportunities to double the Cityzens’ advantage, but frustrations grew as neither of the trio could find a way past Dúbravka.
Instead, they actually had Abdukodir Khusanov to thank for getting into the break ahead, as his last-ditch challenge on Flemming was just enough to make the Dutchman blaze a left-footed effort over the crossbar.
A visibly agitated Pep Guardiola was demanding more from his side, and his angry message from the touchline almost got the desired response when Haaland crashed an effort against the post 10 minutes after the restart.
Aside from that one opening, a lacklustre City were struggling to break Burnley down, fuelling belief for those Arsenal fans tuning in from home that perhaps hope wasn’t all lost.
Savinho came close to extinguishing those hopes 20 minutes from time though, when his stinging drive was repelled by the feet of Dúbravka.
City continued to probe until the dying moments, and although three points were the ultimate prize, they will undoubtedly be tinged with a little disappointment not to have boosted their goal difference in what was, on paper at least, their easiest remaining fixture.
Victory was still enough to see them hit the PL summit in what was a huge contrast to the hosts, whose relegation has now finally been confirmed after a miserable campaign that has seen them win one of their last 25 league games.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Matheus Nunes (Manchester City)
