Manchester City 2-1 Burnley

Ten-man Manchester City moved up to third as they withstood a spirited Burnley fightback in front of a relieved Etihad Stadium.

Fernandinho was dismissed towards the end of an even first half for a two-footed challenge on Johan Gudmundsson.

But the hosts improved after the break as Gael Clichy squeezed home a shot before Sergio Aguero, on as a substitute, fired home from a tight angle.

Ben Mee smashed home via the underside of the bar shortly after but Burnley could not force a leveller despite a fine chance for Andre Gray late on.

City take the hard road

Beginning the day 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, anything less than victory would have prompted some to begin reading the last rites on City's title challenge.

As it is, Pep Guardiola's side will look at the league table with renewed optimism as they closed to within two points of second-place Liverpool with one and possibly both of Chelsea and Tottenham to drop points when they face each other on Wednesday.

Fernandinho's red card was his second in the Premier League this season, triggering a four-match ban

However, Fernandinho's dismissal meant they had to fight harder than they might have expected for victory.

The City captain took some of the ball as he contested a 50:50 ball in midfield, but his reckless scissor-action style meant that referee Lee Mason's decision to show red could be easily justified.

It is not the first time City's discipline has hindered their title ambitions. Including Sergio Aguero's retrospective red against West Ham, they have been shown seven red cards in Guardiola's 30 games in charge.

Fernandinho's third red card in six games for City means he will be banned for four matches and not available again until 5 February.

Should Fernandinho have been sent off? MOTD analysis

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "There's no doubt it is a red for Fernandinho. It is quite clear. He's reckless and out of control. Referee Lee Mason is in a good position. It is a bad one. You see those sort of challenges and you hope for the best for the opposing player."

Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown: "It is a 100% red card all day long. His third in six games. It is indefensible, you don't want to see that in the game."

Aguero off the bench and to the rescue

Well before Fenandinho's lunging challenge, Guardiola's team selection seemed to have hampered rather than helped City's cause.

Aguero, who was spared the rigours of the festive fixture list after only making his comeback from a four-match ban in the New Year's Eve defeat by Liverpool, was left on the bench with Kelechi Iheanacho preferred up front.

While Kelechi Iheanacho's touchmap (left) shows he stayed central, Sergio Aguero (right) roamed far and wide to look for the ball and compensate for Fernandinho's dismissal

Iheanacho missed the best of what little City created in the first half and Aguero brought a more threatening edge to the hosts' attack when he was introduced alongside David Silva at half-time.

The Argentine's dead-eyed finish from a tight angle, past two covering defenders, provided the winner and convincing evidence for an immediate recall.

Burnley come close on return to Manchester

Burnley have only won a single point away from Turf Moor this season, but they can count themselves unlucky not to follow their October draw at Old Trafford with similar on their return to Manchester.

While they confounded United with a stubborn rearguard action, Sean Dyche's side went toe-to-toe with City even before Fernandinho's red card gave them an extra man.

Mee's goal, awarded with help by the decision review system, exposed goalkeeper Claudio Bravo's uncertainty in the air, but Burnley created enough to take a point without City's errors.

The precision that Gray showed in scoring his hat-trick against Middlesbrough last time out deserted him in injury-time while Sam Vokes glanced just wide when well placed.

The Clarets remain 11th, eight points above the drop and well above par for the season so far.

Why always Fernandinho? - Stats

• Fernandinho is the first City player to see two reds in a Premier League season since Mario Balotelli in 2011-12.

• Raheem Sterling has been directly involved in nine Premier League goals for City this season (5 goals, 4 assists), compared to eight in his first season at the club.

• Gael Clichy scored just his third Premier League goal in 311 games (two for City, one for Arsenal). His last goal came in November 2014 v Southampton.

• City have only kept a clean sheet in two of their 10 Premier League games at the Etihad this season.

• Burnley's goal was only the third they have managed away from home this season.

• The Clarets have still taken just one point from their away games this season, with 22 of their total of 23 coming at Turf Moor (drawing one and losing eight away).

"I'm so happy, believe me" - manager quotes

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gave a series of short answers to BBC Sport's Damian Johnson after the match, a selection of which appears below:

Damian Johnson: "What was your view of the red card for Fernandinho?"

Pep Guardiola: "You are the journalist. Not me."

DJ: "You're the manager. I'm sure the fans would like to know.

PG: "Ask the referee - not me."

DJ: "You don't seem that happy that you've won."

PG: "More than you would believe. More than you would believe I am happy."

DJ: "You're not showing it."

PG: "I'm so happy believe me. I'm so happy. Happy new year."

DJ: "Are Manchester City in the title race?"

PG: "Yesterday no. Why today are we in the title race?"

Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "We gave away two poor goals, but the two players that they brought on at half-time are not bad players. I thought that they had an effect.

"It is a missed opportunity. We lost our way a bit when they went down to 10 men. They came out really hard and fast after half-time. We made a game of it after that. There was no lack of effort, but we could not find a way through.

On Fernandinho's red card: "It was a red by modern standards. In years gone by, maybe not, but today I think it is."

Man of the match - Sergio Aguero

Aguero's arrival off the bench galvanised his team and the Argentine managed four attempts at goal - more than any other City player - in his 45 minutes on the pitch

What's next?

Manchester City travel to West Ham in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday with Burnley taking on Sunderland the next day in the same competition.