If it had the air of a unique occasion for an icon of Manchester City’s past, it was just business as usual for their current idol. Vincent Kompany made his first competitive return to the Etihad Stadium since his sensational goal against Leicester in 2019 and his sudden exit. He returned to the ground with his statue outside and to the club he helped turn into relentless winners.
And then, with precious little romance and typical ruthlessness, Erling Haaland condemned City’s greatest captain to his heaviest defeat as Burnley manager. For the Clarets, who lost 5-0 at the Etihad four times under Sean Dyche, it was a still heavier beating.
