Erling Haaland continues on along with his sizzling streak as Manchester City brush apart Brentford

Haaland netted early within the first half in west London to offer City a 3rd win of their final 4 Premier League video games.

The peerless 25-year-old already has 12 objectives in 9 appearances in all competitions this season, plus six in two matches for Norway, with Tottenham the one staff to cease him scoring within the present marketing campaign.

City survived a second-half dip to maneuver into fifth place within the Premier League.

“He has been so important this season for us I would say. We need more goals from the other ones but the chances were there,” City boss Pep Guardiola stated.

Guardiola’s facet are unbeaten of their final seven video games in all competitions since dropping at Brighton in August.

City nonetheless path leaders Arsenal by three factors however they go into the worldwide break with renewed impetus after a gradual begin to the season.

The solely concern for Guardiola was the sight of Rodri being pressured off with a first-half damage after showing to wreck his hamstring.

The Spain midfielder has struggled to complete video games since coming again on the Club World Cup in the summertime following anterior cruciate ligament surgical procedure.

Rodri, who received the celebrated Ballon d’Or after his good kind in 2024, solely managed to play for an hour towards Monaco after sitting out City’s two earlier fixtures.

“Hopefully, it will not be huge,” Guardiola stated of Rodri’s newest damage.

Haaland had been in usually scientific kind within the 2-2 draw at Monaco on Wednesday, Guardiola’s males twice squandered the lead as they conceded a last-gasp equaliser.

They would not repeat their Champions League errors as they secured Guardiola’s 250th Premier League victory.

It has taken Guardiola simply 349 matches to succeed in the milestone, whereas the following quickest pair, Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, each took greater than 400.

“It’s an honour to be alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, I will invite them to a good dinner,” Guardiola stated.

“It’s a pleasure to be part of that in Premier League history. Really pleased. Now let’s go for 250 more!”

Guardiola surprisingly left Belgian winger Jeremy Doku on the bench regardless of his spectacular begin to the season.

Haaland breaks duck

Despite Doku’s absence, City have been in full command within the first half.

Josko Gvardiol wasted an early likelihood when he headed straight at Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from Phil Foden’s nook.

Haaland was chasing his first Premier League purpose on the Gtech Community Stadium — one in all solely two arenas, together with Anfield, he had failed to attain at within the prime flight.

And the Norway striker took simply 9 minutes to finish his anticipate a purpose on Brentford soil.

Gvardiol’s lengthy go caught Brentford defenders Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins flat-footed as Haaland raced clear to blast a fierce end previous Kelleher.

Even by his requirements Haaland is exceptionally prolific in London, having scored a exceptional 21 league objectives in 22 video games within the English capital.

Rodri’s unconvincing return from the intense knee damage that sidelined him for many of final season suffered a serious setback when he limped off within the twenty second minute.

City tried to shrug off the departure of their influential star as Oscar Bobb arrange Foden, however the ahead could not maintain his effort heading in the right direction.

Brentford lastly carved out an incisive assault instantly after the interval.

Igor Thiago left City’s defenders trailing in his wake, however the Brazilian fluffed his traces as Gianluigi Donnarumma raced out to avoid wasting.

City had misplaced their grip and Brentford threatened once more when Kevin Schade’s cross was headed over by Michael Kayode.

Kayode’s lengthy throws have been troubling the City defence, however the guests held agency to wrap up a beneficial victory.