PLAYER RATINGS: Hat-trick hero Mahrez sparkles as Manchester City thrash struggling Burnley 5-0
Manchester City recorded their first Premier League win since Halloween and it was Riyad Mahrez who gave Burnley the most nightmares with a brilliant hat-trick.
The Algerian swept home a pass from Kevin De Bruyne for the opener and curled in off the post after 22 minutes to double the hosts’ advantage after darting onto a quickly-taken throw-in by Kyle Walker.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell had a torrid time for the visitors in goal as City dominated. Here, Sportsmail rates both sets of players.
Riyad Mahrez now has 61 goals and 41 assists in the Premier League since his debut in 2014
Man City (4-3-3) Average: 7.5
Ederson – 7
A virtual spectator until the hour mark when he had to stop a firm blast from Rodriguez.
Kyle Walker – 8
Towering presence in the air to help deal with Burnley’s long ball game and his quick thinking set up Mahrez for the second.
Kyle Walker was strong in the face of Burnley pressure and his throw-in led to Mahrez’s second
John Stones – 7
First league minutes since the opening game of the season and did what he had to do without fuss.
Ruben Dias – 7
Another solid outing from Portuguese star who is settling in well. Relished the physical challenge offered by Burnley’s direct approach.
Benjamin Mendy – 7
First goal in over five years was impressive, but a bit of a liability in defence with poor decision-making and passing.
Kevin De Bruyne – 9
A hand in the first and third with excellent assists, his weighted pass for Mendy’s goal was a real collector’s item.
Kevin De Bruyne was typically majestic and added two more assists to his enviable collection
Rodri – 8
One of his better games as his strong challenge set up the opener. Won every 50-50 before being subbed at the break.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7
Grafted hard in the middle and proved an unbeatable barrier alongside Rodri and then Fernandinho.
Riyad Mahrez – 8
Made no mistake with three excellent finishes that quadrupled his club tally for the season. A lethal prospect when playing with this confidence.
Mahrez’s second goal was the first Manchester City had scored from a throw since April 2016
Gabriel Jesus – 7
Worked hard at both ends and set up Torres selflessly, but would have wanted a goal for himself.
Ferran Torres – 7
Frustrations looked like continuing for the new boy as he had a first-half goal ruled out but took his chance well in the second.
SUBSTITUTES
Fernandinho 6 (for Rodri 45min), Foden 7 (for Torres 67), Garcia 6 (for Dias 70). Subs not used: Sterling, Steffen, Silva, Cancelo.
Burnley (4-2-3-1) Average: 5.3
Bailey Peacock-Farrell – 4
Northern Ireland international made his Premier League debut and was shellshocked by the time he escaped being credited with an own goal for City’s disallowed “sixth”.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell had a torrid time in goal in a rare outing in place of the injured Nick Pope
Matt Lowton – 5
Did a decent job in keeping Torres quiet for an hour, but far too under pressure to make any contribution going forward.
James Tarkowski – 5
Poor pass gifted City the opener and went downhill from there with a number of bad decisions and mistakes.
Ben Mee – 6
Showed composure in the face of tremendous pressure. One of the few visitors to emerge with any credit.
Charlie Taylor – 5
Switched off from the quick throw that led to the second and spent much of the game chasing shadows.
Ashley Westwood – 5
Set-piece delivery was decent but spent the afternoon trying, and failing, to stop the forward flow of City’s stars.
Josh Benson – 5
First taste of league football for the 20-year-old and looked overwhelmed at times, but took a decent free-kick that flew just wide.
Jay Rodriguez – 6
Used in a wide position where his height was meant to create openings, but it was his 61st-minute shot that forced Ederson into his first save.
Dwight McNeil – 7
Young winger played a more central role and looked tricky. Long-range effort flew over, but at least offered momentary worry for City.
Dwight McNeil was Burnley’s brightest attacking spark and saw a long-range effort fly over
Ashley Barnes – 5
Came up with Burnley’s first shot after 49 minutes, but it was well wide. Grafted, but no end product.
Chris Wood – 5
Challenged for every ball when it came his way – which was not often – but with zero service, he was never going to make an impact.
SUBSTITUTES
Pieters 5 (for Wood 67min), Vydra 5 (for Barnes 81). Subs not used: Gudmundsson, Norris, Long, Dunne, Goodridge.
REF: Lee Mason 7
