As Burnley and Manchester City players clashed in front of the goal, Manchester City's players were pushed back near the penalty mark by Burnley's aggressive defending.
Burnley had clearly taken control in front of the goal.
With goalkeeper Nick Pope and the waiting fullbacks Charlie Taylor and Matt Lowton keeping an eye on the players charging toward the goal from the penalty mark, Riyad Mahrez lofted a corner kick.
"Ugh!"
Nick Pope let out a groan, sensing something unusual.
A typical corner kick is struck high, falling in a way that makes it difficult for the goalkeeper to punch it clear. As such, within the penalty box, the goalkeeper—who can jump and use their arms—holds an absolute advantage, followed by the tall center-backs who can defend with their backs to the goal.
However, Riyad Mahrez's corner kick came in much lower and faster toward the goalkeeper's box than the Burnley players had anticipated.
Before the ball could even reach the nearest Burnley defender, Manchester City's center-back Nathan Aké, stationed on the right side of the penalty box, launched himself forward.
With a surprise header, Nathan Aké intercepted the ball flying fiercely at chest height. As the startled Burnley players reacted, the redirected ball buried itself into the bottom left corner of the net, shaking the goal.
"Goal! It's a goal! Manchester City's number 6, Nathan Aké!!!"
As Manchester City's players and home fans erupted in celebration, Hyeong-min clicked his tongue.
"When did those guys get so good at corner kicks?"
Watching the goal—a product of precise positioning, coordinated player movement, and, above all, an expertly taken corner kick despite Aké's modest height—Arthur asked, "Most teams facing Manchester City this season have focused entirely on defense, haven't they? They've given up so many free kicks and corners that it seems like City's turned that into a specialized strength this time around."
Arthur looked at Hyeong-min with surprised eyes at his response.
"You've already looked into it, huh?"
"I did some research, yeah. Just research… Honestly, it's just that they're good at free kicks and corners. There's no special way to stop it. All we can do is defend well ourselves."
---
### Halftime
In the first half, Manchester City had dominated possession with an astonishing 64%, controlling the ball for nearly two-thirds of the game. They seemed confident in their superiority, methodically probing Burnley's goal without rushing.
Burnley's players, as if recalling the passionate defending of the Sean Dyche era, threw their bodies into blocking shots. But aside from the occasional shots Manchester City allowed to lure Burnley forward, they couldn't penetrate the opposition's half at all.
Hyeong-min stood in the center of the visitors' locker room, scanning his surroundings.
His players, slumped around the room, looked at their manager with expressions of frustration and exasperation rather than exhaustion.
Should I do something? *Can* I even do something?
Hesitating internally, Hyeong-min saw the desperate, searching looks in his players' eyes and decided to at least try, even if it might not work.
"It won't be easy, but there's one thing we can attempt."
"What's that?"
His players looked at him with curiosity and a glimmer of hope. Hyeong-min forced a calm smile.
"Manchester City's players can almost all distribute passes, but when they're in a comfortable position, the ball often ends up with Kevin De Bruyne. He's their most creative and attacking player, after all."
"So?"
James Tarkowski, impatient after hearing what seemed like obvious information any team facing Manchester City would know, pressed him.
"I'll say it again—it won't be easy. Honestly, we'll probably only get one shot at it, and it's more of a cheap trick than anything. We set a trap for Kevin De Bruyne."
"How?"
This time, it was Josh Brownhill, his interest piqued.
"Here, gather around for a sec."
Hyeong-min called his players over to the tactics board.
---
### Second Half
After the 15-minute halftime break, the second half began with Burnley's kickoff.
The start of the second half didn't differ much from the end of the first. Manchester City's players circulated the ball, drawing Burnley's players in, then exploiting the spaces they vacated with passes as they continued to probe for weaknesses.
However, as the second half began, Burnley's players—seemingly fatigued—lowered the intensity of their pressing. Instead of directly targeting Manchester City's defenders, they focused their efforts on the midfielders.
A handful of Burnley fans, lamenting their team's timid play, sang their hearts out in support, but the Manchester City home fans, confident of victory, drowned them out with even louder cheers.
Then, Hyeong-min's plan—and Burnley's trap—sprang into action.
**51st minute.**
In increasingly open spaces, Manchester City's players exchanged passes comfortably, biding their time.
As Burnley's players gradually retreated, Manchester City's defensive line pushed forward in tandem, widening the space behind them.
Nathan Aké, lingering in the defensive line, received the ball and passed it to Jack Grealish, who was playing as the left winger.
Grealish moved toward Kevin De Bruyne for a pass, intending a triangular exchange to break through. But the moment the ball left his foot, Burnley's Karim Adeyemi and Hannibal Mejbri—positioned in Grealish's blind spot—sprinted full-speed toward De Bruyne.
Before De Bruyne could fully control the ball, he was surrounded.
Burnley's two young prospects aggressively shoved the world-class Belgian midfielder, stealing the ball from under his feet.
Sensing danger, Jack Grealish and Manchester City's left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko rushed to support De Bruyne.
"No! Stay in position!"
Pep Guardiola, watching from the technical area, and veteran midfielder Fernandinho shouted simultaneously, but it was too late—both players had already abandoned their posts.
Karim Adeyemi, having stolen the ball, immediately slid it back to Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill.
As soon as the ball was taken, Hannibal Mejbri spun and sprinted forward. Josh Brownhill fired a long pass through to him.
In an instant, Hannibal pierced Manchester City's defensive line. Four City players—Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Aké, and Julian Weigl—chased after him, with John Stones and Kyle Walker joining to support goalkeeper Ederson, making it six in total desperately pursuing Hannibal.
Suppressing a sudden urge to laugh, Hannibal Mejbri noticed Ederson hesitating to come out due to the proximity of his defenders. He unleashed a powerful shot to the right of the Manchester City goalkeeper.
Hyeong-min's cheap trick had produced Burnley's equalizer.
"WOOOAAAHHH!!!"
Hannibal raced to the corner flag, roaring in celebration as his teammates piled onto him.
"Great job, you little punk!"
Karim Adeyemi, as always the first to arrive, hoisted him up from behind, shouting in delight.
"That's it! That's the stuff!"
Chris Wood and Jack Cork thumped the club badges on their shirts, roaring back at the jeering Manchester City home fans.
Watching his players, Hyeong-min shook his head.
"A cheap trick, I said. It's just a cheap trick. This won't last long."
Glancing aside, he saw Jack Grealish and Oleksandr Zinchenko—who'd chased the ball and left their positions—called over to the home team's technical area, receiving quick instructions and a scolding from Pep Guardiola.
Seeing the slight irritation on Manchester City's players' faces, Hyeong-min felt a twinge of unease.
---
### Manchester City's Kickoff
Despite conceding an equalizer, Manchester City's players exuded composure.
A firm belief and confidence that they'd soon regain the lead and ultimately win.
For Burnley's players, the relentless parade of passes began anew.
Phil Foden backpassed to defensive midfielder Julian Weigl.
Weigl passed to Kevin De Bruyne on the left.
De Bruyne backpassed to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who passed to Jack Grealish.
Manchester City's unhurried passing symphony continued.
Receiving the ball, Jack Grealish casually passed to Kevin De Bruyne again, despite the earlier goal mirroring this exact situation.
De Bruyne effortlessly shook off Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, who lunged to steal it again, and backpassed to Zinchenko.
This time, Zinchenko sent a backpass all the way to Manchester City's center-back Nathan Aké.
As Hannibal Mejbri hesitated, distracted by the ball, Kevin De Bruyne—who'd passed it moments ago—spun and darted forward at full speed. Nathan Aké lofted a long pass straight to him.
Hyeong-min's face went pale as the scene of the earlier goal replayed itself in reverse.
De Bruyne charged to the goal line, then sharply cut left, dragging Burnley's defensive midfielder Jack Cork and center-back Ben Mee toward the corner flag.
With every Burnley player fixated on De Bruyne's breakthrough on the right, he shrugged off Jack Cork again, spun, and whipped a right-footed cross toward the penalty mark.
"Argh!"
Hyeong-min clutched his head and groaned, realizing Manchester City's ploy too late. Now, even the players on the pitch and the crowd could see the hidden intent.
Manchester City fans rose to their feet, sensing a goal.
Unnoticed by anyone, Riyad Mahrez—the right winger—had slipped into the open space on the left. He calmly collected the cross and fired a shot.
Burnley's players didn't even react to Mahrez until the ball crossed the goal line.
"Goal! It's a goal! City's second, scored by none other than Riyad~ Mahrez~!"
The announcer's ecstatic shout mingled with the home fans' roars as Manchester City widened the gap over Burnley once more.
As the celebrating Manchester City players returned to their half, Kevin De Bruyne spotted Hyeong-min—stunned by having his own trick turned against him—and gave him a friendly smile and a wave.