Even though Pep Guardiola’s team wasn’t at its best, they managed to stay within one point of the leaders.

After Nick Pope had stopped Phil Foden early on, Silva pounced on the rebound to put the game away 20 minutes from time on a De Bruyne screamer.

Guardiola was caught off guard when Raheem Sterling said he would leave City if he doesn’t get more playing time.

To that end, Guardiola made five changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield just before the international break, including giving England international Harry Kane his first Premier League start of the season.

In the first 45 minutes of the game, though, Sterling was unable to have an effect due to the hosts’ disarray.

The Manchester City manager said: “After the international break, we will take the victory and look at what’s next.”

“All of the men threw themselves into it. You should always fight for your teammates, regardless of how well you perform. Everyone on the squad did an amazing job.”

It’s safe to say that Silva has been the star player for his team so far this season.

For the first goal, Silva found Foden on the edge of the area, and although Pope parried his shot, Silva pounced on the rebound to make it 1-0.

As a result of the four prior defeats, Pope spread himself out and made a spectacular stop from Joao Cancelo moments later to keep the floodgates shut.

However, as the halftime whistle approached, the Clarets were the ones that came the closest to scoring.

Against Manchester City in the Champions League, Maxwel Cornet scored four goals in three outings for Lyon, and the Ivorian striker should have been the team’s worst nightmare.

In Ederson’s absence, Zack Steffen made a one-on-one save against Cornet before the forward blasted a second attempt over the bar.

Before the break, Josh Brownhill had a good chance to equalise but his shot went wide.

Also, Aymeric Laporte’s risky sliding challenge on Dwight McNeil ended with with a yellow card for Burnley.

After Sterling was reassigned to his preferred position on the left of City’s front three, the visitors stepped up their game in the second half.

Sterling’s cut-back found Riyad Mahrez, who smashed the bar with his head before Foden failed miserably on a lob effort over Pope.

City’s third goal, which they desperately needed, had a tinge of controversy surrounding it.

As in the last match, Burnley were not pleased with the decision of referee Martin Atkinson after Mahrez interfered with Ashley Westwood, allowing De Bruyne to break with the ball and smash it high past Pope.

When Chris Wood hammered home with only Steffen to beat, the visitors’ deficit should have been halved. Instead, his lack of composure demonstrated why Burnley is yet to win a league game this season.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche admitted: “I’m a realist, you have to get points on the table.” To win, you have to find a way to win, no matter what comes your way.