Manchester City cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the English Premier League table to 20 points after a 5-0 smashing of Burnley at the Etihad on Monday night.

Pep Guardiola made eight changes to his starting team from the side that saw Arsenal off 3-0 last week, and they put in an enviable performance.

A Riyad Mahrez double in the first half and Phil Foden strike gave the defending champions a 3-0 going into the break, before two more strikes in the second period; one from David Silva and another from the England youngster.

The match was however marred with some controversy before kick-off as a plane flew over the Etihad with an offensive banner carrying the message ‘White Lives Matter’, just as the players were taking a knee.

Burnley later released a statement condemning those responsible, saying they are not welcome at Turf Moor.

City were the better side right from kick-off but had to wait until the 18th minute for any meaningful attempt on goal.

David Silva latched onto a cross in the box and created some space for a shot, but his effort went wide of the right post for a goal kick.

They, however, got their opener on the 23rd minute when Phil Foden produced a nice piece of skill to finish with a fantastic long-range striker into the bottom right corner following a nice pass from Bernado Silva.

They then extended their lead on the 43rd minute when Riyad Mahrez finished off a beautiful individual effort with a superb strike from inside the box, beating Nick Pope as the ball flew into the bottom left corner.

Deep into injury time, Man City got the chance to add a third when Sergio Aguero was cluttered inside the box, and the referee gave a penalty after a VAR check.

Mahrez stepped up to coolly finish into the bottom left corner and give the defending champions a 3-0 lead going into the break.

They then picked up the second period from where they left the first, pinning their opponents into their own half and in search of more goals.

And they didn’t have to wait for long as David Silva gave them the fourth on the 51st minute, latching on to a Bernado Silva pass to bury it from close range.

Foden then got his second of the night just before the hour mark, tapping in a Gabriel Jesus ball into an empty net for a 5-0 lead.

City then took their foot off the gas a little bit and were happy to run rings around their opponents with little going forward.

There were no more goals in the last 25 minutes as City recorded their second win in as many games since the return of Premier League action.

Their win means Liverpool cannot win the league this week even if they beat Crysta Palace and will have to wait for a little longer.