Football news – Five-star Manchester City smash Burnley as Kevin de Bruyne returns from injury

Manchester City carved open Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches and send them top of the table.

Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after 17 minutes, as he finished a free-flowing move orchestrated by captain David Silva to celebrate his ninth goal of the season, but it was after the break when the hosts really ran riot.

A quick-fire double gave the hosts a commanding lead as Bernardo Silva and Fernandinho got in on the act.

The first, however, came in controversial circumstances as Leroy Sane appeared to be upended in the penalty area, prompting players from both sides to stop. David Silva, however, played on - though it looked like the ball had already crossed the line - pulling a cross back to Bernardo Silva who slotted into the top corner.

Burnley were clearly rattled and conceded again just two minutes later when they failed to clear convincingly from a corner delivery, and Fernandinho punished them with a lovely first-time volley with his sidefoot.

Riyad Mahrez curled home a beauty on 83 minutes to add gloss to the scoreline. And just when Burnley thought their painful afternoon was over, up popped Sane to make it five.

In a further boost for City, midfielder Kevin de Bruyne made his return from injury with a second half substitute appearance.

Victory sees City return to the summit, two points ahead of second-placed Chelsea, while Burnley remain 12th with nine points.

Burnley have every right to feel aggrieved. Trailing by just the one-goal, the Clarets were still in with a small chance of getting something from the game, until City's dubious second. At that stage Pep Guardiola's side had done enough to lead, but they weren't exactly playing at a level anywhere near their best. Sean Dyche will feel the turning point in the contest was the referee's decision not to reward Burnley with a goal-kick when the ball was clearly over the line. His players allowed the injustice to affect them, so City took advantage and racked up a handsome victory.

David Silva (Manchester City): Even at the grand old age of 32, the Spanish supremo continues to pull the strings in the City midfield. He was at the heart of every City attack, linking up with Sane on the left to devastating effect.

Man City: Ederson 5, Kompany 6, Stones 6, Laporte 6, Mendy 7, Fernandinho 7, B Silva 8, D Silva 9, Mahrez 8, Sane 8, Aguero 7. Subs: De Bruyne 6, Jesus 5, Foden 5.

Burnley: Hart 6, Lowton 6, Tarkowski 5, Mee 5, Taylor 5, Gudmundsson 6, Cork 5, Hendrick 5, Lennon 5, Defour 5, Vokes 5. Subs: Wood 5, Westwood 5, Barnes 5.

17' - GOAL! Man City 1-0 Burnley: IT HAD BEEN COMING! The champions show their quality with a lovely sweeping move. There's nothing you can do when City are in full gear. The attack is orchestrated by David Silva who exchanges passes with Sane before drilling a cross to the unmarked Aguero who slots it home.

54' - GOAL! Man City 2-0 Burnley: Sane is upended inside the Burnley box, prompting strong protests from the hosts. The Burnley players go to sleep but City play to the whistle - David Silva pounces on the loose ball and pulls it back to Bernardo who slots it home.

56' - GOAL! Man City 3-0 Burnley: Two goals in quick succession gives the hosts a commanding lead! Burnley are rattled, they concee a corner which they fail to clear convincingly. The loose ball falls to Fernandinho who hammers an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box.

83' - GOAL! Man City 4-0 Burnley: Mahrez puts the icing on the cake with an unstoppable curler from the 25 yards! Hart was left rooted to the spot. Score-line is slightly harsh on the Clarets but City can do this to teams.

90'- GOAL! Man City 5-0 Burnley: It's far too easy. Mendy's low cross picks out Sane. It's not the cleanest of strikes, but he scuffs it into the bottom corner.