Football: Erling Haaland double fires defending champions Manchester City to season-opening victory over Burnley

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has wasted no time opening his account for the new English Premier League season with two goals, as the champions began with a 3-0 stroll against promoted Burnley at Turf Moor.

Haaland, who bagged a Premier League season-record 36 goals and a total of 52 goals in all competitions for treble winners City last season, slotted his side in front after four minutes.

A stunning finish by the Norwegian in the 36th put City in cruise control, with the only blot on their copybook being an injury to Kevin de Bruyne that forced him off in the first half.

Rodri drove in City's third from close range after 75 minutes to make it a chastening return to the top flight for a Burnley side managed by former City captain Vincent Kompany.

To complete Burnley's misery, they had substitute Anass Zaroury sent off in stoppage time for an ugly tackle on Kyle Walker. 

Reuters