Manchester City vs Brentford Review
Erling Haaland scored two goals to help Manchester City secure a 2-1 victory over a determined Brentford team, marking their 32nd consecutive home Premier League match without a loss since their defeat to Brentford in November 2022. The Etihad Stadium was shocked just 22 seconds into the match when John Stones failed to clear a header from Keane Lewis-Potter, allowing Yoane Wissa to score the fastest home goal ever conceded by Man City in the Premier League.
Despite an early struggle, City equalized in the 19th minute when the ball reached Haaland, whose first-time shot deflected slightly off Ethan Pinnock and found the back of the net. Pinnock later had a header that hit the crossbar, but Haaland overpowered him soon after, seizing Ederson’s long pass and skillfully chipping it over Mark Flekken to turn the game around. Savinho and Jack Grealish each had a shot saved, but Thomas Frank faced another setback before halftime when Wissa had to leave the field due to an injury from a challenge by Mateo Kovačić.
At the start of the second half, Pep Guardiola made two substitutions, including bringing on Rodri for his first appearance of the season, and the home team began to dominate, although they didn’t immediately test Flekken. Lewis-Potter wasted a chance during a fast Bees counterattack, while Flekken remained busy, saving Grealish’s curling shot and tipping Haaland’s attempt over the bar, preventing the striker from achieving his third consecutive hat-trick and keeping his team in the game. As the pressure mounted, Kyle Walker nearly scored with a shot that grazed the top of the net, and although Savinho had one shot saved, another attempt went just wide.
Haaland hit the post, had his rebound blocked by Collins, and was subsequently thwarted by Flekken shortly after, making City’s 13th straight Premier League victory the first in that streak to be determined by a single goal. This may offer some small comfort to Brentford, especially since their only two losses in five competitive games this season have been against Liverpool and the current champions.