MANCHESTER CITY dropped points for just the fourth time this season when Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s expertly taken half-volley earned Burnley a draw on Saturday.

Danilo’s long-range effort in the first half had given the visitors the lead, but they failed to capitalise on their periods of familiar dominance, with Raheem Sterling missing a great chance to double the lead from a few yards out.

The Burnley players drew on the increasing noise and optimism from the stands at Turf Moor as the score remained at 1-0 and eventually nabbed the equaliser when substitute Matthew Lowton pinged a perfect ball for Gudmundsson who was charging to the far post.

“I thought we grew into the game,” said Burnley manager Sean Dyche.

“Their kid makes an unbelievable save and then they have an unbelievable miss and that kind of changed the feeling. The stadium erupted and everyone came with us, everyone went with the feeling of the stadium. It was a fantastic goal, an absolutely fantastic goal.”

City goalkeeper Ederson had saved well from an Aaron Lennon effort but couldn’t do anything to stop the Icelander’s well-timed strike even though he did get a hand on it. Dyche had some interesting words of praise for the opposition goalkeeper after the game, and compared him to one of the game’s greats.

“He’s the calmest keeper I’ve seen, it’s like having Ronald Koeman in goal. He just gets it and spins it around the pitch, all over the pitch, and I think that adds to their game plan massively.

“He diffuses the game, they give it back to him, he’s nice and calm, he’ll clip one into midfield or wide. I think that’s a massive weapon for them this season in the style that they play. But not only that, he made a fantastic save from Lennon.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believed his team played well against difficult opposition despite wasting several chances, and praised Burnley’s resolve.

“I give credit to the way we defended because it’s not easy with long balls. You cannot press, they put it in the channels, throw-ins, free kicks, and corners. They are masters of that, they are so, so good.

“We didn’t win and we are sad, but, if you judge the result, be complimentary to Burnley because what they do they do really, really well.”