For those who feel the Barclays Premier League is becoming too predictable at the top end, it is always worth hanging around for Christmas. There is a reason the English continue to chase leather in the cold while the rest of Europe holidays at this time of year and here, at a rather flabbergasted Etihad Stadium, was it. Two ahead at half-time after goals from David Silva and Fernandinho, Manuel Pellegrini’s team emerged for the second period aware that Chelsea had dropped two points at Southampton and that a 10th successive win in all competitions would set a new club record and take to them to within a point of their great modern rivals. Ashley Barnes (third right) fires home to complete an impressive comeback for strugglers Burnley against second-placed Manchester City . Burnley's Barnes (centre) celebrates wildly after equalising for his side against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium . Ashley Barnes wheels away in celebration with his team-mates, as Joe Hart watches the shot hit the back of his Manchester City net . Man City: Hart 6, Zabaleta 6, Demichelis 6, Mangala 4.5, Kolarov 5, Fernando 6, Fernandinho 7 (Sinclair 88, 5.5), Jesus Navas 6.5, Silva 7, Nasri 5 (Lampard 76, 5.5), Milner 5.5 (Jovetic 62, 5) Subs not used: Caballero, Sagna, Clichy, Boyata . Goals: Silva 23, Fernandinho 33 . Booked: Fernando 42, Navas 79, Zabaleta 81, Silva 88 . Burnley: Heaton 6, Trippier 6, Keane 6.5, Shackell 6, Mee 6, Boyd 6.5, Marney 6.5, Jones 6, Arfield 6, Ings 7, Barnes 7.5 . Subs not used: Gilks, Wallace, Kightly, Sordell, Jutkiewicz, Chalobah, Long . Goals: Boyd 47, Barnes 81 . Booked: Mee 71 . Referee: Kevin Friend . George Boyd's first goal for Hull City, to begin their comeback at the Etihad Stadium, is shown by our impressive Match Zone. Click here to see more stats from the game. Less than an hour later, however, City were being booed off by their own supporters while Burnley manager Sean Dyche was marching on to the field to congratulate his players. His team had not quite managed to pull off the victory of the Premier League season so far but they had come strong at the champions to earn a point and prove that it is unwise to try to predict anything at this time of year. Pellegrini — who can’t be much fun round the Christmas dinner table — will try hard to ascertain how exactly this happened. He may wish to start with the fact that Burnley looked fitter than his team. City have more players in their squad than Burnley but it was the home side who were throwing on substitutes in a bid to find some energy and a spark during the second half. Burnley, meanwhile, finished the game with the same 11 they started with. A coincidence? Maybe. But the fact is that City looked leggy as the game became stretched and Burnley who dominated possession for the entire five-minute period added on by referee Kevin Friend. Normally, we would have expected City to fly at Burnley for the 15 minutes that were played after Ashley Barnes equalised in the 81st minute, but during that time the home team had one chance, substitute Stevan Jovetic bringing a sharp, low save from Tom Heaton. Burnley finished the game comfortably and went home with a point they deserved. Despite the fact they were two down at half-time, they had shown enough in the first 45 minutes to suggest they could hurt City. As it transpired, that all proved rather portentous. Manchester City's David Silva (left) scored the opening goal of the match on 23 minutes with a low left-footed shot . Silva (right) watches on as he shoots through the Burnley defence to open the scoring after spinning in the 18-yard box in the first half . Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton can only watch as Silva's shot beats his despairing dive and goes into the net . City led from the 23rd minute and were two ahead shortly after the half hour. They had been first to show and threatened early through central defender Martin Demichelis, Samir Nasri and James Milner. Interestingly, though, Burnley centre forward Danny Ings was already worrying Demichelis’ partner Eliaquim Mangala while Burnley midfielder Dean Marney had brought the first real save of the game from City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Nevertheless, City broke through midway through the half. It was a neat goal from Silva, as he turned on to a Jesus Navas cross and shot low past Heaton in the Burnley goal. Pretty soon City were two goals clear. This time Nasri was the player who was in control of things on the edge of the penalty area and when he decided to shift the ball sideways to Fernandinho the Brazilian stopped it, moved it a foot to his right and drove a perfect shot against the underside of the bar and into the goal. It was a magnificent strike and one that looked to have sealed the result. Had Navas’ subsequent low effort from 12 yards not been saved by Heaton then we probably could have all gone home early. Silva (centre) is joined by his Manchester City team-mates in front of the home support after scoring to put his side 1-0 up against Burnley . Manchester City's players celebrate during their Barclays Premier League match against Burnley at the Etihad Stadium . Samir Nasri (second left) looks on as Fernandinho (right) fires home from outside the area to double Manchester City's lead . City boss Manuel Pellegrini raises both fists in the air after the Brazil international's strike puts them 2-0 ahead on Sunday . As it was, Burnley emerged for the second half to score a most peculiar goal and haul themselves back into things. There seemed little danger as Ings delivered a cross-shot from the left but the presence of George Boyd — who appeared to get a slight touch — seemed to confuse Hart, who could only dive over the ball and deflect it into the net. Pellegrini subsequently claimed Boyd had been offside, and he had a point. ‘Maybe we deserve some luck,’ smiled Dyche. From that point, the game began to disintegrate, as matches at this time of year often do. As legs tired, it became stretched and it has to be said that this seemed to suit Burnley more than it did City. Ings might have tested Hart had he not stood on the ball when played clear in the 54th minute, before central defender Jason Shackell headed over from a free-kick. A different angle shows Fernandinho's shot fly towards Tom Heaton's goal, where it nestled in the top corner at the Etihad Stadium . Fernandinho signals after scoring Manchester City's second goal of the day, while Burnley's Dean Marney has his hands on his hips . City's Pablo Zabaleta (second right) suffered a bloody cut to his forehead after accidentally clashing skulls with Eliaquim Mangala (centre) Hart calls for medical assistance after Manchester City defender  Zabaleta suffers a head wound during the match . Zabaleta's Manchester City team-mates make sure he is okay after suffering a clash of heads with fellow defender Mangala (right) Zabaleta's on-field treatment included an injection into his forehead from the Manchester City medical team . City, as you would expect, were still active as an attacking force and Nasri brought a fingertip save from Heaton with a low shot from the edge of the area. They were increasingly less than convincing, however, and, when it came, Burnley’s equaliser was not that surprising. Ings had already seen one shot fly wide and Barnes had one of his own blocked by Demichelis before City found themselves pegged back with nine minutes left. A free-kick from deep was lofted into the area and when the two City central defenders could only knock it down, Barnes connected with his right foot and lashed the ball past Hart with venom. City were rather bewildered. This was something they hadn’t expected. Afterwards, Burnley’s Dyche didn’t seem quite as surprised. Barnes, scorer of Burnley's equaliser nine minutes from time, brings the ball down to begin an attack for the Clarets . Kieran Trippier (left) battles for the ball with Nasri during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley on Sunday . Former Peterborough man George Boyd spreads his arms wide in celebration after netting his side's first goal at the Etihad on Sunday . Boyd (left) began the comeback for Burnley when he scored past Hart in the Manchester City goal midway through the second half . Fernandinho (centre) brings the ball forward as he looks to take on Burnley's Will Keane, who is on loan from Manchester United . Pellegrini gives instructions to Nasri from his technical area at the side of the pitch at the Etihad, as City looked to close the gap on the top . Heaton punches the air with delight after his side rescue a draw at the defending Premier League champions . Manuel Pellegrini (left) looks dejected at the full-time whistle, while Burnley manager Sean Dyche claps the travelling supporters (right)
Manchester City are hot on the heels of leaders Chelsea, and went into the game just three points behind them .
David Silva opened the scoring in the first half when he spun in the 18-yard box to fire past Burnley's Tom Heaton .
Shortly after, Fernandinho doubled the lead with a brilliant strike into the top corner from outside the area .
George Boyd provided a scare in the second half when he pulled a goal back for Burnley to make it 2-1 .
The comeback was complete with nine minutes to go when Ashley Barnes equalised for Burnley .
Click here to read Adam Crafton's full player ratings from the game at the Etihad Stadium .
For those who feel the Barclays Premier League is becoming too predictable at the top end, it is always worth hanging around for Christmas. There is a reason the English continue to chase leather in the cold while the rest of Europe holidays at this time of year and here, at a rather flabbergasted Etihad Stadium, was it. Two ahead at half-time after goals from David Silva and Fernandinho, Manuel Pellegrini’s team emerged for the second period aware that Chelsea had dropped two points at Southampton and that a 10th successive win in all competitions would set a new club record and take to them to within a point of their great modern rivals. Ashley Barnes (third right) fires home to complete an impressive comeback for strugglers Burnley against second-placed Manchester City . Burnley's Barnes (centre) celebrates wildly after equalising for his side against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium . Ashley Barnes wheels away in celebration with his team-mates, as Joe Hart watches the shot hit the back of his Manchester City net . Man City: Hart 6, Zabaleta 6, Demichelis 6, Mangala 4.5, Kolarov 5, Fernando 6, Fernandinho 7 (Sinclair 88, 5.5), Jesus Navas 6.5, Silva 7, Nasri 5 (Lampard 76, 5.5), Milner 5.5 (Jovetic 62, 5) Subs not used: Caballero, Sagna, Clichy, Boyata . Goals: Silva 23, Fernandinho 33 . Booked: Fernando 42, Navas 79, Zabaleta 81, Silva 88 . Burnley: Heaton 6, Trippier 6, Keane 6.5, Shackell 6, Mee 6, Boyd 6.5, Marney 6.5, Jones 6, Arfield 6, Ings 7, Barnes 7.5 . Subs not used: Gilks, Wallace, Kightly, Sordell, Jutkiewicz, Chalobah, Long . Goals: Boyd 47, Barnes 81 . Booked: Mee 71 . Referee: Kevin Friend . George Boyd's first goal for Hull City, to begin their comeback at the Etihad Stadium, is shown by our impressive Match Zone. Click here to see more stats from the game. Less than an hour later, however, City were being booed off by their own supporters while Burnley manager Sean Dyche was marching on to the field to congratulate his players. His team had not quite managed to pull off the victory of the Premier League season so far but they had come strong at the champions to earn a point and prove that it is unwise to try to predict anything at this time of year. Pellegrini — who can’t be much fun round the Christmas dinner table — will try hard to ascertain how exactly this happened. He may wish to start with the fact that Burnley looked fitter than his team. City have more players in their squad than Burnley but it was the home side who were throwing on substitutes in a bid to find some energy and a spark during the second half. Burnley, meanwhile, finished the game with the same 11 they started with. A coincidence? Maybe. But the fact is that City looked leggy as the game became stretched and Burnley who dominated possession for the entire five-minute period added on by referee Kevin Friend. Normally, we would have expected City to fly at Burnley for the 15 minutes that were played after Ashley Barnes equalised in the 81st minute, but during that time the home team had one chance, substitute Stevan Jovetic bringing a sharp, low save from Tom Heaton. Burnley finished the game comfortably and went home with a point they deserved. Despite the fact they were two down at half-time, they had shown enough in the first 45 minutes to suggest they could hurt City. As it transpired, that all proved rather portentous. Manchester City's David Silva (left) scored the opening goal of the match on 23 minutes with a low left-footed shot . Silva (right) watches on as he shoots through the Burnley defence to open the scoring after spinning in the 18-yard box in the first half . Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton can only watch as Silva's shot beats his despairing dive and goes into the net . City led from the 23rd minute and were two ahead shortly after the half hour. They had been first to show and threatened early through central defender Martin Demichelis, Samir Nasri and James Milner. Interestingly, though, Burnley centre forward Danny Ings was already worrying Demichelis’ partner Eliaquim Mangala while Burnley midfielder Dean Marney had brought the first real save of the game from City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Nevertheless, City broke through midway through the half. It was a neat goal from Silva, as he turned on to a Jesus Navas cross and shot low past Heaton in the Burnley goal. Pretty soon City were two goals clear. This time Nasri was the player who was in control of things on the edge of the penalty area and when he decided to shift the ball sideways to Fernandinho the Brazilian stopped it, moved it a foot to his right and drove a perfect shot against the underside of the bar and into the goal. It was a magnificent strike and one that looked to have sealed the result. Had Navas’ subsequent low effort from 12 yards not been saved by Heaton then we probably could have all gone home early. Silva (centre) is joined by his Manchester City team-mates in front of the home support after scoring to put his side 1-0 up against Burnley . Manchester City's players celebrate during their Barclays Premier League match against Burnley at the Etihad Stadium . Samir Nasri (second left) looks on as Fernandinho (right) fires home from outside the area to double Manchester City's lead . City boss Manuel Pellegrini raises both fists in the air after the Brazil international's strike puts them 2-0 ahead on Sunday . As it was, Burnley emerged for the second half to score a most peculiar goal and haul themselves back into things. There seemed little danger as Ings delivered a cross-shot from the left but the presence of George Boyd — who appeared to get a slight touch — seemed to confuse Hart, who could only dive over the ball and deflect it into the net. Pellegrini subsequently claimed Boyd had been offside, and he had a point. ‘Maybe we deserve some luck,’ smiled Dyche. From that point, the game began to disintegrate, as matches at this time of year often do. As legs tired, it became stretched and it has to be said that this seemed to suit Burnley more than it did City. Ings might have tested Hart had he not stood on the ball when played clear in the 54th minute, before central defender Jason Shackell headed over from a free-kick. A different angle shows Fernandinho's shot fly towards Tom Heaton's goal, where it nestled in the top corner at the Etihad Stadium . Fernandinho signals after scoring Manchester City's second goal of the day, while Burnley's Dean Marney has his hands on his hips . City's Pablo Zabaleta (second right) suffered a bloody cut to his forehead after accidentally clashing skulls with Eliaquim Mangala (centre) Hart calls for medical assistance after Manchester City defender  Zabaleta suffers a head wound during the match . Zabaleta's Manchester City team-mates make sure he is okay after suffering a clash of heads with fellow defender Mangala (right) Zabaleta's on-field treatment included an injection into his forehead from the Manchester City medical team . City, as you would expect, were still active as an attacking force and Nasri brought a fingertip save from Heaton with a low shot from the edge of the area. They were increasingly less than convincing, however, and, when it came, Burnley’s equaliser was not that surprising. Ings had already seen one shot fly wide and Barnes had one of his own blocked by Demichelis before City found themselves pegged back with nine minutes left. A free-kick from deep was lofted into the area and when the two City central defenders could only knock it down, Barnes connected with his right foot and lashed the ball past Hart with venom. City were rather bewildered. This was something they hadn’t expected. Afterwards, Burnley’s Dyche didn’t seem quite as surprised. Barnes, scorer of Burnley's equaliser nine minutes from time, brings the ball down to begin an attack for the Clarets . Kieran Trippier (left) battles for the ball with Nasri during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley on Sunday . Former Peterborough man George Boyd spreads his arms wide in celebration after netting his side's first goal at the Etihad on Sunday . Boyd (left) began the comeback for Burnley when he scored past Hart in the Manchester City goal midway through the second half . Fernandinho (centre) brings the ball forward as he looks to take on Burnley's Will Keane, who is on loan from Manchester United . Pellegrini gives instructions to Nasri from his technical area at the side of the pitch at the Etihad, as City looked to close the gap on the top . Heaton punches the air with delight after his side rescue a draw at the defending Premier League champions . Manuel Pellegrini (left) looks dejected at the full-time whistle, while Burnley manager Sean Dyche claps the travelling supporters (right)
Zone. Click here to see more stats from the game. played after Ashley Barnes equalised in the 81st the game comfortably and went home with a point portentous. Manchester City's David Silva (left) Burnley defence to open the scoring after spinning in the 18-yard box in the first half . (right) fires home from outside the area to the left but the presence of George Boyd — who and deflect it into the net. Pellegrini nestled in the top corner at the Etihad Stadium . back with nine minutes left. A free-kick from began the comeback for Burnley when he scored past Hart in the Manchester City goal midway through the second half . Fernandinho (centre) the gap on the top . Heaton punches the air with