The Manchester City manager is probably right, but Sergio Aguero and company are in the mood to deliver improbable magic.

After a sloppy first half here they conjured another cascade of memorable goals, each one seemingly more exquisite and gasp-inducing than the last.

It took City into the fourth round of the FA Cup and took their unbeaten run in all domestic matches this season to 26. Add in the final six games of last season and the total is an incredible 32 without defeat. 

Aguero scored twice, with Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva gilding the lily.

After competing so well in the first half, leading at half-time, Burnley were simply blown away by brilliance and joy of City’s football.

They continue to look irresistible, and here they showed they have the fighting spirit to fight back from a tough start and a difficult position.

Burnley’s pedigree this season is hardly in doubt, with victory away to Chelsea and a draw at Manchester United among their notable Premier League performances.

It showed here from the start as they subdued City with intelligent organisation and determined running; closing down the attacking angles and pressing hard in central midfield.

Sean Dyche’s team also had ambition to play too, willing to break forward instantly when they had the chance.

They might have scored in the 18th minute when City keeper Claudio Bravo gave away a corner as he failed miserably to play the ball out of defence. From the cross, Ben Mee headed across the face of goal, but nobody in a Burnley shirt was there for final touch.

City didn’t heed the warning, still too lacklustre on the ball themselves and a touch complacent in defence.

It allowed Burnley to take the lead in the 25th minute as John Stones made a hash of dealing with a long punt upfield. His wild mis-kick sent Ashley Barnes running clear and he lashed home a fierce shot from the edge of the area.

Dyche was in dreamland; Guardiola despondent.

City’s first half struggles were obvious. They found it hard to break through the Burnley wall and chances were rare. Ilkay Gundogan had a shot blocked and youngster Oleksandr Zinchenko fired just over the bar.

Half-time surely delivered a robust lecture from Guardiola to his players. There was immediate urgency after the break, the passing suddenly crisp and threatening.

Two goals in two minutes soon after the break settled the game. Both came from Sergio Aguero, and both were brilliantly fashioned by the vision and skill of Gundogan.

The first came from a swiftly taken free kick 30 yards from goal. Gundogan’s pass was perfect for the peeling run of Aguero, who scored with sublime ease.

Burnley protested that the kick was taken too quickly, but Ashley Westwood had tried to kick the ball away and blatantly failed to retreat 10 yards.

Manager Dyche was furious and had a verbal spat with Guardiola. He had been in constant dialogue with the fourth officials too, and his complaints were overdone.

City’s second goal was created by a sumptuous back-heeled pass from Gundogan that gave Aguero a simple finish.

More slick goals followed. A devastating break from defence ended with a pass from David Silva that was put away by Leroy Sane.

Sane made the fourth goal, rounding the Burnley keeper who had rushed out of his area and finding substitute Bernardo Silva, who caressed in the finish.

Burnley were bewildered at the end, just like so many teams this season. And that is certainly no illusion.