Erling Haaland powers in early goal to earn Manchester City victory at Brentford

A 250th Premier League win for Pep Guardiola, achieved at record speed, and, in a season where no contender is perfect, a seventh title trophy cannot be ruled out. The Manchester City of autumn 2025 are a work in progress, low on previous star quality but still full of possibilities. The presence of Erling Haaland, in devastating form, is a cast-iron guarantee they will be sticking around for a while yet.

In the ninth minute Haaland scored his ninth Premier League goal of the season, notching for the ninth game in succession. Played in by Josko Gvardiol, Haaland’s unmatchable power and speed completed the job, bustling through Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins to clatter past Caoimhín Kelleher. At 25, as a young father, handed a leadership role by his manager, Haaland is thriving under added responsibility.

“I have never felt better than I do now,” he said. “It is about preparation, getting ready for the games. You can be physically ready but you need to be mentally ready. With a kid it makes me even better because I disconnect more than ever – I don’t think about football at all.”

City fans singing for Kevin De Bruyne reminded Haaland is no longer supported by proven winners, much of the star system that once ­surrounded him now passed into club legend. The new City are full of promise, but where their Premier League peers have bought finished products, to currently mixed results, the Etihad project turns towards potential. Three points ground out at Brentford saw first-half dominance followed by a far more tentative second half. Brentford fought back determinedly but suffered for a lack of quality when opportunities arose.

Keith Andrews was denied in his quest to beat Manchester United and Manchester City in consecutive games, the last manager to do so being Tottenham’s Gerry Francis in 1996. In City’s 2022-23 treble-winning season, only Thomas Frank’s Brentford’s did a league double over them. Matching those historic feats proved beyond reach with Haaland around. “I am not sure how many centre-forwards in world football score that goal,” Andrews said.

The Irishman’s technical area vigil was anguished, the key moments never quite coming off, despite endeavours that made life uncomfortable for City until the closing moments. By the conclusion, Guardiola was a more frantic presence on the touchline. This City team do not yet kill off opponents as was habitual in the imperial phase of the recent past. The skill level remains elite but prey is not battered into submission.

“Many things I like,” Guardiola said. “I know there are things we can do ­better but they made a fantastic first half, one of the best in many months.”

Collins, Brentford’s captain, said: “They were getting too close to our box, in and around it. In the second half we were a bit more aggressive on the press, got higher up, pressed them higher.”

City assumed grip from the first whistle, Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade feeding off meagre scraps. Bees fans’ greatest thrills in the first half came when Gianluigi ­Donnarumma was asked to play the ball but the goalkeeper made no mistakes, to audible disappointment.

For City, Jérémy Doku, in fine form, was a notable omission, the latest victim of a Guardiola tombola team selection in his continuing search for a formula. Rodri in midfield after playing in Monaco was supposed to be a mark of progress in recovery from his knee injury, only for him to depart with a hamstring injury, rubbing his right haunch in disappointment.

Phil Foden, omitted by Thomas Tuchel, had two first-half efforts created by Bobb, City’s other Norwegian showing off a talent flourishing since his own return from long-term injury. Foden was central to City’s first-half control, only to fade when the going got tougher.

An instinctive save from Kelleher denied Tijjani Reijnders’ volley; City should have been further ahead at half-time than 1-0. That only Haaland has scored more than a single Premier League goal suggests someone else needs to step up soon.

The second half arrived with Andrews and Brentford appearing well ahead of City. Michael Kayode’s early surge down the right flank brought fresh impetus. A golden chance was missed – and saved – when Gvardiol’s missed header set up Igor Thiago for a one-on-one. An onrushing Donnarumma prevailed. Kayode’s header wide soon after suggested City’s failure to kill the game might have consequences. “The second half was our half,” said Andrews.

Haaland was now being asked to defend Kayode’s long throws, as a second-row lock forward in a lineout formation protecting Donnarumma. Haaland said: “It reminded me of Stoke City with Rory Delap 15 years ago. They are huge and do throw-ins from the middle so of course it is not easy but it is about preparing for what is going to come.”

Stoppage time featured Haaland and Guardiola directing their team’s play together, manager and star player in tandem as victory was seen out. They will need each other for the challenges ahead.

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