Burnley vs. Manchester City: Winners and Losers from Premier League

Manchester City's faint Premier League title hopes evaporated at Turf Moor on Saturday evening as Burnley, who went into the game with just one win in their past 12 league contests, completed a 1-0 victory that gives their chances of survival a real boost.

City now head to the Camp Nou for Wednesday's crucial Champions League last-16 second leg against Barcelona with their confidence knocked. This was a woeful display that very few saw coming. They are now just one point ahead of Arsenal, who lie third, and Manuel Pellegrini's side suddenly have a fight on their hands to finish in the second spot.

Here are the winners and losers from Saturday's game.

Winner: Sean Dyche

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Rarely has a side promoted to the Premier League spent so little and yet looked so good in flashes. Sean Dyche and his team are punching well above their weight, and the four points they have taken off the champions may well be crucial in keeping them up.

Since being promoted to the top flight, Dyche has spent around £9 million, a paltry budget in comparison to most of his rivals. Ten of Burnley’s starting XI against City played in the Championship last season, yet they outfought the champions and showed more desire to get the three points. Dyche deserves a lot of credit for the season his side are having. 

Loser: Edin Dzeko

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It hasn’t been a great season for Edin Dzeko. After his heroics in the final weeks of last season played a huge part in City’s title win, the Bosnian diamond has failed to shine during this campaign. His display against Burnley was yet another disappointing one.

He failed to link play well or get involved to any great degree, and missed arguably the best chance of the first half when Tom Heaton saved his close-range effort. He’s managed just six goals all season in a City shirt, only four of which have come in the Premier League.

It would be a surprise if he kept his place for City’s midweek match. 

Winner: George Boyd

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At £3 million, George Boyd must surely rank as one of the best signings of the season.

A wonderful left-foot half-volley finish past Joe Hart in the 61st minute proved to be the winner and offered a clear demonstration of his ability. Described by some as a workhorse after a season in which his fitness and running power have so often caught the eye, this goal showed he is more than a hard-worker.

He described it afterwards as "the most important goal of my career," as per Simon Mullock of the Daily Mirror. If it helps keep Burnley in the Premier League, it will be very difficult to argue with him.

Loser: Manuel Pellegrini

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The manager of a struggling side often takes too much of the criticism. Manuel Pellegrini selected a starting XI for the game with Burnley which was more than capable of winning, and his players must take responsibility for their abject failure.

However, his post-match comments describing City’s performance as "normal" (h/t Paul Wilson at The Guardian) were worrying. How, after watching an insipid, disjointed display that threatens his own future, can he seriously suggest it was normal? It was a bizarre assertion that offers little confidence he is fully aware of the problems City face.

Writing for ESPN FC, Miguel Delaney noted:

"

Looking ahead, Pellegrini has far bigger problems than trying to recover a 2-1 scoreline against an attack as good as Barcelona's in the Champions League on Wednesday. He has to fix very basic problems in his team from front to back, and any repairs are unlikely to be enough to save his job.

City couldn't save this game, and have likely ceded their title.

"

City have won three of their last nine league games, with their season fading into nothingness. 

Winner: Fernandinho

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With Wednesday’s game against Barcelona the one every City player wants to be involved in, Fernandinho may well have confirmed his place in the starting XI after an excellent display at Turf Moor.

He broke up Burnley attacks with an impressive array of tackles and interceptions and was the catalyst for many of City’s best moments going forward. The energy and industry that made him one of the best and most consistent midfielders in the Premier League last season were back on display after what has been a somewhat patchy campaign, as time and again he recovered possession.

He was one of the few City players to emerge from the game with his reputation in any way enhanced.

The midfielder was inexplicably left out the side for the first leg, with Fernando and James Milner preferred as a midfield two. It didn’t work. City were overran and looked short of sharpness in an area Barcelona are incredibly strong.

It would be staggering if he were not selected to play on Wednesday. 

Loser: Yaya Toure

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Yaya Toure is a hugely important player for City, often the driving force behind the team’s best moments, yet his performance on Saturday must surely rank as one of his worst.

He looked completely disinterested, bereft of any of his trademark power and pace, and looked as if he had one eye on Wednesday. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.