A first-half strike from Erling Haaland was all that settled the two sides as Manchester City ran out 1-0 winners at Brentford on Sunday evening. The Norwegian continued his freakish scoring form with an extremely well-taken goal to move his side up to fifth in the Premier League table heading into the October international break, sitting three points behind early leaders Arsenal.
It took only ten minutes for City to nip in front. Josko Gvardiol's ball through midfield found Haaland on the last line, and he managed to spin Sepp van den Berg with his supreme physicality before slotting under Caoimhin Kelleher.
City could have gone two up when Tijjani Reijnders met a floated Nico O'Reilly cross and struck a fierce volley towards goal, only for the strong arm of Kelleher to deny him a beauty.
At the start of the second half, City had Gianluigi Donnarumma to thank for keeping them ahead when Josko Gvardiol comically lost an aerial duel to Igor Thiago, leaving the Brazilian to race through on goal, but the Italian goalkeeper thwarted the striker with a fine save.
For the most part, City were unthreatened in the second half, though their hearts were in mouths in the final minute of regulation time when Donnarumma's pass from the pack was blocked by Kevin Schade and the loose ball deflected wide. That was as close as Brentford got to an equaliser as City held on to claim the victory.
GOAL rates City's players from the Gtech Community Stadium…
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Gianluigi Donnarumma (7/10):
A passenger for the most part but showed exactly why he was chosen as the man to replace Ederson with a sprawling save to deny Thiago early in the second half, which ultimately proved a pivotal point in the contest.
Matheus Nunes (6/10):
Another outing at right-back with little to shout about either way. Didn't get overly involved in possession but wasn't rinsed going the other way.
Ruben Dias (7/10):
Oozed confidence even when trying to keep up with the electric pace of Schade, which you couldn't say about the Manchester United defenders who visited Brentford last week.
Josko Gvardiol (7/10):
Played the pass which Haaland took in stride to score early doors. Held his own in the high line all throughout the first half but opened it up singlehandedly at the start of the second when he failed to deal with the presence and physicality of Thiago. Notably dropped a shade in confidence thereafter.
Nico O'Reilly (7/10):
Growing into the left-back role with each passing week. Unlucky not to have registered an assist for Reijnders in the first half when he picked the Dutchman out with a pinpoint cross.
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Rodri (N/A):
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner's injury struggles continued, having to be withdrawn midway through the first half.
Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):
Epitomised City's superior technical levels in midfield with a series of dribbles out of tight areas, though these seldom hurt Brentford too much. Replaced by Silva for the final 15 minutes.
Phil Foden (6/10):
Involved in almost every positive move City had in the first half, but was much quieter after the break as the visitors struggled to find a second goal.
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Oscar Bobb (6/10):
Played an almost identical game to Foden, dancing his way past defenders and creating havoc in the opening 45 minutes before being muzzled after the break. Subbed for Doku.
Erling Haaland (8/10):
What would City do without him, eh? Now scored at 22 of the 23 Premier League stadiums he's played in (Anfield is his only blemish) and just six goals away from joining the division's 100 Club.
Savinho (5/10):
Fresh from signing a new long-term contract, the Brazilian showed glimpses of his talent in transition, but didn't tangibly give Brentford too much to be scared of.
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Nico Gonzalez (6/10):
Came on in the first half for the injured Rodri. City controlled much of the game either way despite the prolonged absence of their more famous Spanish midfielder.
Jeremy Doku (5/10):
On for Bobb for the last quarter of an hour. Didn't contribute much with City seemingly happy to settle for the one-goal lead.
Bernardo Silva (5/10):
Replaced Reijnders, though like Doku was rarely involved.
Pep Guardiola (6/10):
It was a tale of two halves for City, who looked a cut above in attack early on and then shut up shop to keep Brentford from truly threatening with the clock winding down. Now up to 250 Premier League wins in his career.
