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Burnley 0-3 Man City: Raheem Sterling double sends City into Carabao Cup quarter-finals

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Getty Images

Raheem Sterling scored twice as Manchester City sealed a comfortable 3-0 win over Burnley to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The England international opened the scoring late in the first half and added a second on 50 minutes to double City's lead.

Ferran Torres opened his account for the club after his move from Valencia with a third as Pep Guardiola's side cruised into the last eight with victory at Turf Moor.

Guardiola handed a debut to 18-year-old Cole Palmer but on the whole named a strong line-up with Kevin De Bruyne and Sterling both included.

Burnley too fielded a near-full strength side, with Bailey Peacock-Farrell given a chance to impress in the absence of Nick Pope who was rested.

The holders, who have won this competition three years in a row, began on the front foot with Sterling somehow skewing wide from Ferran Torres' pinpoint delivery.

Four minutes later, it was De Bruyne who fed Sterling with a super ball through the middle and this time he did everything right, shooting low and hard only for Peacock-Farrell to pull off a fine save at his near post.

The 23-year-old would go one better with his next stop, moving off his line to beat away Sterling's third effort of the night with a strong hand.

The contest was perhaps more open than some would have expected and Burnley did threaten on the break with Matej Vydra and Ashley Barnes going close from range.

Palmer then had the chance to cap his debut with a goal but Peacock-Farrell continued his fine form, blocking the youngster's effort at the near post.

City's pressure finally told on 35 minutes when Aymeric Laporte played a through ball to Benjamin Mendy, he sent in a low cross and this time, Sterling lashed home from 10 yards.

Just before half time, the impressive Torres nearly made it two but struck against the woodwork after getting on the end of Riyad Mahrez's cross.

But just five minutes after the break, Sterling doubled his tally after an incisive breakaway from City saw Torres send in a low cross and the 25-year-old tapped home.

City were dominating the ball, creating chances and making Burnley chase the ball for several minutes on end, and it was no surprise when the impressive Torres scored his first goal for the club with a smart finish into the bottom corner.

Sterling had a chance to seal the hat-trick, going through one-on-one with Peacock-Farrell but the goalkeeper stood firm once again.

Torres and Sterling would go close again but City eventually took their foot off the gas and clinched the win to take another step towards retaining the trophy for a fourth successive year.

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