Erling Haaland scored his ninth Premier League objective of the season to earn Manchester City a laboured 1-0 victory at Brentford which lifted them to fifth within the desk on Sunday.
The Norwegian muscled by means of to complete in fashion within the ninth minute to proceed his spectacular begin to the season as City prolonged their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven.
It ought to have been much more snug for Pep Guardiola’s facet although and so they have been dealt a doubtlessly vital blow when midfielder Rodri went off injured within the first half.
Brentford did not have a contact within the City penalty space within the first half however did brighten up after the break and Igor Thiago wasted a wonderful likelihood to equalise.
City got here below stress late on below Brentford’s aerial assault however held on to maneuver to 13 factors from seven video games, three behind leaders Arsenal heading into the worldwide break.
While City nonetheless seem in a transition section, the sight of Haaland banging within the targets will likely be a reason for alarm for the edges anticipated to be combating for the title.
In fact, he was well-shackled by Brentford’s defence after his objective, however the harm was already achieved.
City spent the primary half racking up the passes as a meek Brentford have been diminished to the position of spectators.
For all their intricate passing although, City’s objective was easy within the excessive.
Josko Gvardiol lofted a ball down the left in direction of Haaland and he used his energy to surge all too simply into the realm and thrash a shot previous Caoimhin Kelleher.
City’s afternoon took a darkish flip quickly afterwards although when Rodri, who missed virtually all of final season with a knee damage, pulled up unchallenged and sat disconsolately on the turf, earlier than hobbling off with a hamstring damage.
Even with out the Spaniard it continued to be one-way site visitors and it might have been throughout earlier than halftime had City been just a little extra hungry in entrance of objective.
Phil Foden missed one half-chance whereas Tijjani Reijnders was denied by an important save from Kelleher.
Brentford confirmed extra aggression after the break although and virtually shocked City with an equaliser out of nothing.
A punt ahead was not handled by City’s defence and Thiago was clear by means of however by no means actually appeared in full management and his tame effort was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Michael Kayode headed a half-chance over the bar for the hosts and because the minutes ticked down Guardiola, who notched his 250th Premier League win for City, appeared more and more agitated on the touchline as Brentford’s direct fashion triggered jitters in his defence.
City’s hearts have been of their mouths within the ninetieth minute when Donnarumma’s clearance was charged down by Kevin Schade and the rebound went narrowly extensive of the submit.
