Man City leapfrog Arsenal to go top but miss golden opportunity at Burnley - 5 talking points

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Manchester City went top of the Premier League for the first time since the opening day of the season after seeing off Burnley at Turf Moor - relegation the Clarets in the process.

Pep Guardiola's side knew three points would take them to the summit after they'd beaten Arsenal on Sunday and Erling Haaland set them on their way after only five minutes, but the Norwegian's goal would by no means open the floodgates.

City now lead the table, but only by a slender margin. They've gone level on points with Arsenal, sharing an identical goal difference, thus meaning the Manchester outfit sit top by virtue of goals scored. 66 to Arsenal's 63.

After the visitors went ahead courtesy of Haaland's dinked finish they failed to press on. City went in at the break only leading by the solitary goal, which will have served as a frustration. Rayan Ait-Nouri blazed off inside the box and the visitors also struck the post.

City hit the woodwork again in the second-half as a Haaland effort struck the post. Burnley were largely pinned in their own half but stood firm and the visitor's impatient became increasingly obvious. Rayan Cherki and Savinho missing further opportunities.

Guardiola is where he'll want to be, top of the pile, but the lack of a clinical edge and the failure to ramp up their goal difference will serve as a frustration. Here's five talking points from Burnley.

For more than 200 days they've led the way and, in truth, it didn't look like anyone could catch Arsenal at points. City were constantly threatening to hit top gear, but never coming through. Well they certainly have now and psychological it will be massive to see their name top of the table.

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In terms of league position this was City's easiest opposition and, with goal difference potentially deciding the destination of the trophy, there will have been a sense of frustration that they didn't return to Manchester with more of an advantage over Arsenal. But now, with City in FA Cup action, the Gunners have the chance to re-establish themselves at the top.

If anyone knows the value of winning big late in the season to ensure you land a title on goal difference then it is City. They could be on for a repeat of 2012 with the top two levels on points and only separated by goal difference.

Silently City will have rocked up at Burnley knowing they needed to not only win, but win well. They hammered Burnley 5-1 earlier this season and a victory by a similar scoreline will have been on their radar. Instead, whilst they dominated the game, their margin of victory was narrow. Guardiola became increasingly tense on the touchline as his side spurned numerous opportunities and positions - which they hope won't prove costly come late May.

For all the quality available to Guardiola this title charge has been led by a front four that seem to have everything you'd want in the final third. Haaland's goalscoring is, and always will be, vital. Behind him Rayan Cherki has adopted the main playmaking role with the benefit of out and out pace alongside him.

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Jeremy Doku, occasionally criticised for being excessively raw, has found his best level since moving to Manchester whilst Semenyo has carried over his Bournemouth form and proven himself to be among the best wingers in the league. Their contributions and understanding has left the likes of Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush resigned to spots on the bench, but you can't argue right now with their selections, even if they didn't fire on all cylinders on Wednesday night.

Bernardo's departure from Manchester was announced recently and the Portuguese sensation seems intent on making a point about his brilliance before he departs the Etihad. He's been one of the pillars of the Guardiola era, filling a variety of different roles.

In his finals years he's played deeper, but had the freedom to go forward. His non-stop energy, neat touches and a football IQ that is through the roof has made him a joy to watch. He's been among the out and out winners who have driven this late season ascent to the table's summit and there's no danger of him leaving out the back door, Bernardo is taking a lead role, even if Wednesday night was a source of frustration for everyone associated with City.

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On Monday night Wolves ' status as a Championship team for next season was confirmed, even if it has felt like an inevitability for months now. Burnley's season has not fared much better and Wednesday night was finally the evening their relegation was confirmed in front of a Turf Moor crowd that was littered with empty seats.

They were in the hunt for the Championship title last season, but have never looked like mounting a survival charge. They leant heavily on their defensive record last season, but that was never going to fly in the top flight and they've been unable to modify their game. For Parker, its another relegation on the CV.

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