The Clarets had a nightmare afternoon in front of the TV cameras as they went down 6-1 to a rampant Manchester City side.

Trailing 5-0 at the break, a torrential downpour rendered the pitch pretty much unplayable in the second half, with neither side able to create much in the difficult conditions.

City took the lead on three minutes when Emannuel Adebayor capitalised on a half clearance from a corner to smash home past Brian Jensen, Craig Bellamy doubled the lead just 90 seconds later, cutting through the Burnley defence with ease but slotting past a helpless Jensen.

Carlos Tevez heaped more misery on Burnley on six minutes tapping home from close range after a weak parry from Jensen.

Patrick Viera took advantage of a superb in-swinging corner from Adam Johnson to power home a header for City’s fourth on 20 minutes as scores of fans headed for an early exit.

Adebayor made it 5-0 on the stroke of half time to make it a thoroughly miserable first 45 for Brian Laws’ side.

The rain continued to poor in the second half as Laws made two changes - bringing Jack Cork and Wade Elliott on for Blake and McDonald.

But Vincent Kompany rose highest on 56 minutes to power home a header to make it 6-0 to the visitors.

Fletcher pulled a goal back on 71 minutes, running onto a Cork through ball before lifting the ball past Shay Given.

The second half was pretty much over as a contest as soon as the heavens opened, with the pitch in no fit state for flowing, passing football.

Chances were few and far between as City took their foot off the gas, knowing their scintillating first half performance had been enough to secure the three points as early as the third minute.