It was a famous night at Turf Moor to rank alongside their victory against Manchester United in their first season in the Premier League when Robbie Blake scored the winner. And City deserved what they got – absolutely nothing. Their manager Manuel Pellegrini looked pale and drawn by the final whistle as well he might. City dominated possession but not energy, commitment or even goal chances. They are still five points behind leaders Chelsea having played two games more and the immediate reaction from TV pundit Jamie Redknapp was that this was the type of performance from City players that get managers the sack.
It was they, not the underdogs of Burnley, who used illegitimate strongarm tactics. Sergio Aguero was lucky that referee Andre Marriner didn't spot his studs-up challenge that caught Michael Duff on the ankle.
Martin Demichelis crudely targeted The Clarets danger-man Danny Ings and caught him in the leg, chin and back of the head on at least three occasions. The Argentine was incredibly fortunate not to get a red card at some stage on the totting-up procedure.
Everywhere you looked there was an abject City horror story. David Silva gave one of his worst performances in a City shirt and was hooked after missing their best chance from Aguero's pass.
Skipper Vincent Kompany was partly-culpable for Burnley's winner after being recalled to the side following recent poor form. Pablo Zabaleta claimed a late penalty when he was challenged Mee. Nothing was given, correctly.
Burnley are now only one point from Sunderland and Premier League safety and their winning goal after 61 minutes was excellent. As usual, Kieran Tripper's delivery from a free-kick was fantastic, Kompany got up to head away from goal but only to Boyd who was lurking on the edge of the box.
The Scot caught his half-volley sweetly with his left foot and it arrowed away from Hart in the bottom corner. Job done and he described it as 'the most important goal of my career'.
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