Pep Guardiola has credited improved body language as the reason behind Manchester City's recovery from a slow start to the 2025-26 season. City stretched their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions as two goals from in-form striker Erling Haaland helped Guardiola's side overcome a spirited Burnley 5-1 in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Haaland scores twice as City record two victories in fruitful week
City capped off a fine week as they downed Burnley at the Etihad Stadium. Following their 2-0 win over League One side Huddersfield Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup in midweek, Guardiola’s men secured all three points against Burnley. Haaland netted his seventh and eighth league goals of the season after Clarets defender Maxime Esteve twice put the ball into his own net either side of a strike from Matheus Nunes.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportCity now unbeaten in last five matches across all competitions
The victory over Burnley means City are now unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, with four of those ending in victories. After beating rivals Manchester United 3-0 on September 14, City also beat Napoli in their Champions League opener before downing Huddersfield and Burnley. The only game City were not able to win in that impressive run was their 1-1 draw with Arsenal last Sunday.
Pep reveals 'key' behind City's recent upturn in form
And Guardiola has since highlighted City’s win over United as the turning point in a season which saw them lose successive league games against Tottenham and Brighton following an opening-day victory over Wolves. In his press conference after the Burnley game, Guardiola said: "I think since the United game [the 3-0 derby win two weeks ago] the team show another way, another body language. Even when they were not playing good against Arsenal, how they defend, how they help each other in that many times. It's the key for everything."
Getty Images SportGuardiola also heaps praise on in-form winger Doku
Guardiola was also full of praise for winger Jeremy Doku following the victory over Burnley. The Belgium international’s end product has often been questioned during his time at City but Guardiola believes he has turned a corner with his decision-making, having recorded his third league assist of the season for Haaland’s first goal against Scott Parker’s side.