The Norwegian striker was included for the first time on Manchester City’s matchday roster since injuring his foot at the beginning of December.

However, on his 24th birthday, Julian Alvarez was going to be upstaged by nobody.

In the first half, Alvarez scored twice in as many minutes, with the former Borussia Dortmund player breathing down his neck from the sidelines.

When Haaland showed up twenty minutes late, it was his chance to put the cherry on top and make it a pleasant return for himself.

However, he blew a couple of good opportunities and could need to wait to regain his spot against the Argentine World Cup winner.

It wasn’t simply their situation at the foot of the table that prompted the Burnley supporters who drove the short distance down the M66 dread the worst.

They had let in 35 goals without receiving a response during their previous eight trips to the Etihad in all competitions.

Additionally, prior to this one, the Clarets had only triumphed once in their previous 31 encounters with their North West opponents.

Worse, City, like most teams this time of year, has only recently begun to settle into their groove.

There has been some discussion around these parts that they could complete a double treble after seven straight victories dating back to mid-December.

After spending 11 years as a player for City, the last three of which were spent under Guardiola, Burnley manager Vincent Kompany was fully prepared for what was to come.

When he made his first appearance back for an FA Cup encounter in March, it was an emotional day, but his team lost 6-0, so there was no old pal act.

This time, it was more understated; there were a few friendly handshakes before the game, and for at least 16 minutes, the champs respected his team.

Haaland was limited to the bench, but Kevin De Bruyne, Kompany’s longtime friend and fellow Belgian, made his debut.

Alvarez broke the deadlock on 16 minute

He made it 2-0 midway through the first half

Rodri celebrated getting City’s third just after half-time

The Spaniard’s goal was not dissimilar to the one that won City the Champions League

With Phil Foden drifting back out to the right, he was back in his natural habitat in the middle.

However, the England youth player, who has excelled in a pivotal role without KDB, was the one to set the visitors up for the first goal.

After sending Matheus Nunes streaking down the right, he managed to float another cross into the middle despite his initial attempt being blocked.

Alvarez put a header past former City rookie James Trafford by slipping between two defenders.

What about the second one that showed up six minutes later, if the first one seemed simple enough?

De Bruyne showed great intelligence by anticipating Alvarez’s run and delivering a short free kick right into the Argentine’s foot.

After taking a little glance, the World Cup winner clipped his shot past Trafford and into the corner.

Alvarez now has 15 goals for the season. Guardiola will be considering how to deploy him after Haaland returns to action.

Pep immediately hurried up to shake the hand of Carlos Vicens, one of his coaching staff members, demonstrating that it was a pattern they had developed on the practice field.

The only thing left to decide was the number of goals City would score, and defender Josko Gvardiol got the closest to tying the score with a shot that he bent wide.

Lyle Foster had an opportunity to equalize with a skip over the returning John Stones, but he was unable to find the back of the net, and Burnley wasted most of the first half chasing.

It didn’t matter what Kompany told his team at halftime because the match was finished in just 24 seconds after the restart.

Foden squared for Rodri on the box’s edge after finding some room to the right.

Ameen Al-Dakhil got a consolation in injury time

There was no mercy for former City captain Vincent Kompany at the Etihad

Tempers flared between Rico Lewis and Connor Roberts

Erling Haaland replaced Kevin De Bruyne to make his long-awaited return

The Spaniard took his place, curving into the corner and around Trafford with a superb spin. It was a goal not too unlike THAT one from eight months ago in Istanbul.

The Clarets last scored here in January 2018, and since then, they haven’t had many better opportunities than the one Zeki Amdouni missed.

The last thing the Clarets wanted to witness was Haaland taking off his shirt when they were three goals behind.

Despite the fact that they have only faced him twice, he has scored five goals against them.

However, with 20 minutes remaining, he took De Bruyne’s place, and the home crowd enthusiastically welcomed him back.

Since he was hurt at Aston Villa two months ago, City has won nine and drew one; nonetheless, they will be happy to have him back for the upcoming difficulties.

The Etihad held its breath as he attempted to pursue a ball over the top, but Hjalmar Ekdal shepherded him out wide, and he tripped while trying to get a shot off.

It made the home bench chuckle a little, as they had already won the game.

The fact that his players let Burnley a consolation goal in stoppage time would not have pleased Guardiola, though.

fresh signee David Fofana escaped down the right side, and Ameen Al-Dakhil headed in his low cross.