'Relishing the challenge' - National media react to Man City win over Burnley

Manchester City’s time away from the summit of the Premier League proved brief as they wasted no time in reclaiming top spot from Liverpool on Saturday.

Having seen their closest rivals leapfrog just moments earlier, Pep Guardiola’s side ensured they wouldn’t spend long below them as they eased to victory at Burnley. First-half goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan secured a comfortable 2-0 win as they moved back to a point ahead of the Reds.

The result sets City up for what is set to be a pivotal week, with Jurgen Klopp’s side visiting the Etihad after the Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid in midweek. Here’s what the national media made of the Blues’ 2-0 win at Turf Moor.

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Liverpool had a brief time to enjoy the sight of the league table. Then came the confirmation that while overtaking Manchester City was an achievement, finishing above them will be a far greater one.

While City had a two-hour sojourn in second, it took them five minutes to demonstrate they would reclaim the status they held for four months. The opener came so quickly that Jürgen Klopp was able to reference it in his post-match interviews after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Watford at Anfield. Statements of intent are rarely quicker or more eloquent.

“To be honest, we don’t speak about our contenders to be champions,” Pep Guardiola said. Actions conveyed City’s message instead.

If City, 14 points clear of Liverpool in January, passed a psychological test as they looked utterly unruffled by being briefly downgraded to second, they showed the assurance of a side with little need to worry about scorelines elsewhere.

With Pep Guardiola demanding