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One game, two goals: Erling Haaland maintains his fantastic Premier League strike rate
Photo: Michael Regan / Getty Images
Thanks to Erling Haaland, treble winners Manchester City opened the new Premier League season with a victory. The defending champions won 3-0 (2-0) at newly promoted Burnley FC on Friday. Striker Haaland scored the first goal of the season for the champions, FA Cup winners and Champions League winners from close range in the fourth minute. The Norwegian scored his second goal of the season in the 36th minute with a shot on the underside of the crossbar. Rodri scored the final score in the 75th minute.
After last Sunday's 1-4 penalty shootout defeat to Arsenal in the English Super Cup, things went much better for coach Pep Guardiola's team. However, Kevin De Bruyne had to leave the pitch midway through the first half. The Belgian had just returned from a thigh injury he suffered in the Champions League final. Joško Gvardiol, who arrived from RB Leipzig, made his debut for City in the second half.
The hosts, coached by former Bundesliga player Vincent Kompany, also had their chances, but were not as effective in attack as Guardiola's team. Burnley player Anass Zaroury was shown the red card shortly before the end.
cev/dpa