Haaland Continues Scoring Run as Manchester City Defeat Brentford

Erling Haaland continued his exceptional form this season by securing a 1-0 victory for Manchester City at Brentford on Sunday.

The striker scored during the opening minutes of the match in west London, helping City claim their third win in the last four league fixtures.

The 25-year-old has now found the net 12 times in nine matches across all competitions this term, adding six more for Norway, with Tottenham being the sole team to prevent him from scoring so far this campaign.

City managed to hold on despite a decline in performance after the break, largely due to Haaland's clinical finishing, climbing to fifth in the league standings.

Pep Guardiola’s team have remained unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions, having lost to Brighton in August.

Although still three points behind league leaders Arsenal, City head into the international break with renewed confidence following a sluggish beginning to the season.

Guardiola’s sole worry came when Rodri had to leave the field during the first half due to a suspected hamstring issue.

Since returning at the Club World Cup in the summer after ACL surgery, the Spanish midfielder has found it difficult to complete matches.

Rodri, recipient of the prestigious Ballon d’Or following his outstanding performances in 2024, lasted just an hour against Monaco after missing City’s previous two matches.

Haaland was once again razor-sharp during Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Monaco, though City twice surrendered their lead, allowing a late equaliser.

This time they avoided the errors seen in the Champions League, securing Guardiola’s 250th victory in the Premier League.

Guardiola surprisingly chose to bench Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, despite his strong form at the start of the campaign.

Haaland Ends Scoring Drought

Despite Doku’s absence, City dominated proceedings during the first half.

Josko Gvardiol missed an early opportunity, heading straight at Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from a Phil Foden corner.

However, Haaland was aiming to score his first Premier League goal at the Gtech Community Stadium, one of only two grounds where he had previously failed to find the net, the other being Anfield.

The Norwegian forward required only nine minutes to break his goal drought at Brentford.

Gvardiol’s long ball caught Brentford defenders Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins unprepared, allowing Haaland to sprint through and power the ball past Kelleher.

Haaland’s record in London remains exceptional even by his own high standards, with 21 league goals in 22 matches in the city.

Foden tested Kelleher with a powerful strike from the edge of the area as City sought a second goal.

Rodri’s uncertain return following a severe knee injury that kept him out for much of last season was further hampered when he limped off in the 22nd minute.

City attempted to adjust following their star player’s exit as Oscar Bobb created an opportunity for Foden, who failed to direct his shot on goal.

Tijjani Reijnders came closer, striking a powerful shot from Nico O’Reilly’s cross, which Kelleher did well to save.

Brentford did not manage a single touch inside City’s penalty area during the first half.

They finally created a meaningful chance right after the break.

Igor Thiago left City’s defenders behind, but the Brazilian misfired when Gianluigi Donnarumma rushed out to make the save.

City’s control slipped, allowing Brentford to threaten again as Kevin Schade’s cross was headed over by Michael Kayode.

Kayode’s long throws posed problems for City’s defence, yet the visitors remained resolute to secure an important win.