Erling Haaland scored his ninth Premier League goal of the season to earn Manchester City a laboured 1-0 victory at Brentford, which lifted it to fifth in the table on Sunday.
The Norwegian muscled through to finish in style in the ninth minute to continue his impressive start to the season as City extended its unbeaten run in all competitions to seven.
It should have been far more comfortable for Pep Guardiola’s side, though, and it was dealt a potentially significant blow when midfielder Rodri went off injured in the first half.
Brentford failed to have a touch in the City penalty area in the first half but did liven up after the break, and Igor Thiago wasted a glorious chance to equalise.
City came under pressure late on under Brentford’s aerial assault but held on to move to 13 points from seven games, three behind leader Arsenal heading into the international break.
While City still appears in a transition phase, the sight of Haaland banging in the goals will be a cause of alarm for the sides expected to be fighting for the title.
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In truth, he was well-shackled by Brentford’s defence after his goal, but the damage was already done.
City spent the first half racking up the passes as a meek Brentford was reduced to the role of spectators.
For all its intricate passing, though, City’s goal was simple in the extreme.
Josko Gvardiol lofted a ball down the left towards Haaland, and he used his power to surge all too easily into the area and thrash a shot past Caoimhin Kelleher.
City’s afternoon took a dark turn soon afterwards, though, when Rodri, who missed almost all of last season with a knee injury, pulled up unchallenged and sat disconsolately on the turf, before hobbling off with a hamstring injury.
Even without the Spaniard, it continued to be one-way traffic, and it could have been all over before halftime had City been a little hungrier in front of goal.
Phil Foden missed one half-chance, while Tijjani Reijnders was denied by a great save from Kelleher.
Brentford showed more aggression after the break, though, and almost stunned City with an equaliser out of nothing.
A punt forward was not dealt with by City’s defence and Thiago was clean through but never really looked in complete control and his tame effort was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Michael Kayode headed a half-chance over the bar for the host, and as the minutes ticked down, Guardiola, who notched his 250th Premier League win for City, looked increasingly agitated on the touchline as Brentford’s direct style caused jitters in his defence.
City players had their hearts in their mouths in the 90th minute when Donnarumma’s clearance was charged down by Kevin Schade, and the rebound went narrowly wide of the post.
Published on Oct 05, 2025