BURNLEY’S unbeaten away record in the Premier League this season came to an end at the hands of leaders Manchester City.

But the 3-0 defeat at the Etihad was not without controversy, with the Clarets looking comfortable until the hosts were awarded a dubious first half penalty.

City may be one of the most expensive football teams ever assembled, playing some of the best football the Premier League has ever seen, but after a frustrating half hour against Burnley they showed they aren’t beyond the dark arts either.

The hosts could argue that Bernardo Silva was touched by Nick Pope, but if there was any contact it was minimal at best and it was instigated by the City man. This was conning a match official, although stood no more than 10 yards away Roger East should have been above it.

Once Sergio Aguero had converted from 12 yards it was always likely to be an uphill battle for Sean Dyche’s side, and although they fought courageously they were eventually picked off by City’s lethal attack.

City were bossing the early stages as the Clarets struggled for a kick, but on 15 minutes they had the first real opening as Chris Wood fought gamely to make something of Jack Cork’s long clearance, out-muscling Kyle Walker and getting past Nicolas Otamendi only for Ederson to just beat the Kiwi striker to the ball.

It took City until midway through the first half to get a good sight of Nick Pope’s goal, with David Silva feeding Leroy Sane inside the area and from his cutback Bernardo Silva could only poke a shot straight towards the Clarets’ keeper.

But Burnley’s diligent defensive work was ripped apart just before the half hour.

The move City put together leading to the penalty was magnificent, ending with Pope stretching his hand to stop Kevin De Bruyne going round him, but after Matt Lowton’s clearance hit Bernardo Silva the former Monaco midfielder went down as he poked the ball away from Pope. It was a clear dive and the Clarets were rightly furious with the decision, with James Tarkowski booked for his complaints, but Sergio Aguero made no mistake from the spot.

Riled by the injustice Burnley responded well, with some slack play from De Bruyne gifting possession to Jack Cork and from his lay off Scott Arfield’s shot was deflected over.

At the other end Pope stood tall to save Aguero’s shot from the right side of the area with his feet after De Bruyne had got his pass right on this occasion. and then repeated the trick from the other side of the area on the stroke of half-time.

Burnley started the second half well and had claims for a penalty of their own turned down when Fabian Delph cleared the ball against his own hand. From the resulting corner Tarkowski just failed to connect with a free header from Robbie Brady’s delivery.

The Clarets were fighting hard to stay in the game as City enjoyed a monopoly on possession and in the final 20 minutes they made it count.

Burnley conceded a sloppy corner as they failed to clear their lines in time and from Sane’s delivery Otamendi headed home, although Steven Defour should have cleared it off the line.

A minute later is was three. Aguero flicked the ball in-field to De Bruyne on the halfway and he released Sane who drilled a shot across Pope and into the corner from 15 yards.

Substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson could have pulled one back late on, shooting over after a weak Ederson punch before seeing an effort deflected wide, but the Clarets would be denied that consolation.