STAYING ALERT

For all of Burnley’s fury at Graham Scott’s decision to allow Manchester City to take a quick free-kick in the lead up to the equaliser, the Clarets must also be disappointed that they switched off.

It was quick thinking from Ilkay Gundogan and Sergio Aguero, who simply shared a glance before the brilliant Argentine made his run beyond the Burnley defence.

But against City’s attacking talents you can’t lose concentration for a moment and the Clarets just did that. Give Aguero that sort of chance and he will punish you.

There is always a chance a side with City’s creative talents will look to take a quick free-kick and even if Ashley Westwood was asking Scott if he was going to blow the whistle the defence have to say switched on to runs such as Aguero’s.

Having conceded once it took Burnley several minutes to regain their composure, by which stage they were behind.

WESTWOOD

Ashley Westwood can consider himself very unlucky not to have featured more for Burnley since arriving from Aston Villa almost 12 months ago.

This was just a second start of the season for the 27-year-old, who has found his path blocked by Jack Cork and Steven Defour so far this term.

But he certainly made the most of his chance at the Etihad and his performance will have given Sean Dyche food for thought.

He was a combative presence against City’s star-studded midfield but showed glimpses of class as well.

Westwood has a job on his hands to usurp Cork or Defour but this display showed he is ready if required.

A CUP RUN

That’s it for the Clarets in the cups for another season with the FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester City following the Carabao Cup defeat to Leeds United.

Dyche’s five years at Turf Moor have, by any measure, been an overwhelming success, but a good cup run is perhaps the one thing missing.

Last season’s FA Cup charge threatened to ignite until the fifth round exit at the hands of non-league Lincoln City while there has been nothing of note in the League Cup since reaching the fourth round in 2013/14.

Last season’s Turf Moor defeat to the Imps was particularly disappointing, but there is no shame in going out of this year’s competition at the first hurdle considering a trip to the Etihad to face City was the toughest draw the Clarets could have been handed.

SUPPORT

A word for the magnificent travelling Clarets, all 7,600 of them who made some noise at the Etihad.

The scenes behind Claudio Bravo’s goal when Ashley Barnes almost broke the net were fantastic and the backing was impressive throughout.

Even at 4-1 down the fans continued to back their team and it was no surprise to see the players thank the visiting fans at the final whistle.

TROPHIES

Sadly Burnley were unable to become the first team this season to end City’s hopes of winning a trophy.

It’s beginning to look like this could be a memorable year for Pep Guardiola and City who are on for a possible quadruple, with a domestic treble certainly in sight.

Once they got up a head of steam in the second half City looked unstoppable and with the title all but in the bag and a Carabao Cup semi-final coming up they are now on the march in the FA Cup as well.