Man City vs Brentford LIVE: Result and final score as Haaland brace completes comeback win
Man City 2-1 Brentford: The champions came from behind and are the only team left with a perfect record after Haaland’s brace
Manchester City beat Brentford 2-1 at home to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season after Erling Haaland netted twice following the fastest goal of the season from the visitors.
Brentford had the perfect start when Yoane Wissa opened the scoring 22 seconds after kickoff to stun the Etihad Stadium but Haaland restored parity in the 19th minute when he scored from a tight angle with just his second touch of the game.
Haaland then made it 2-1 when Ederson booted the ball upfield where the Norwegian striker outmuscled defender Ethan Pinnock and chipped the ball past goalkeeper Mark Flekken for his ninth goal of the season.
As Haaland searched for that third goal which would have made him the first player to score hat-tricks in three straight Premier League games, Flekken made several saves to deny the league’s top scorer but City held on to seal the three points.
Follow all the live action below:
Manchester City vs Brentford
In a small gritty period, City win the midfield battle. Mbeumo tries to jink his way through but a firm tackle from Gvardiol halts his progress.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Despite losing their early lead, Brentford are holding up ok it seems. City have been a devastating unit of late too, winning each of their last 12 Premier League games, all by a margin of over two goals. Indeed, under Pep Guardiola alone, the Citizens are responsible for six of the 16 runs of 12+ consecutive wins by any clubs in English top-flight history (38%).
Manchester City vs Brentford
City's early second half pressure continues. This time over on the left wing, Gvardiol earns his side a corner after linking up well with Grealish.
Manchester City vs Brentford
We're back in action with a Manchester City kick-off.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Pep opts for a double change at the interval as Rico Lewis makes way for Josko Gvardiol.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Substitution Mateo Kovačić Rodrigo Hernández Cascante
Manchester City vs Brentford
There's been a great pace and tenacity to this game, with the early exchanges seeing Thomas Frank's men seemingly giving City no room to breathe. As the game has gone on, of course, the hosts have made their own wiggle room. However, the visitors have not been far off it in terms of technical ability. Admittedly, they've had a better xG, with a score of 0.84 compared to City's 0.71. That said, Haaland has been machine-like today and the Bees will do well to mute him in the second 45 minutes. In fact, Brentford likely understand the task at hand. Manchester City are actually unbeaten in their last 68 Premier League matches when leading at half-time (W61, D7) with this dating back to 18th May 2021 against Brighton & Hove Albion (L2-3).
Manchester City vs Brentford
The end of a frenetic half of football at the Etihad sees Manchester City lead by two goals to one, as they fought back from a stunning Brentford start. Wissa's headed opener just 22 seconds in was the fastest goal of the Premier League season so far, yet what likely frustrated City more, was the shoddy defending that handed the Bees the lead as Collins was allowed to cross from the right and Lewis-Potter was able to head back across before a botched City clearance was headed in by Wissa. The home side responded admirably though, turning on their robotic efficiency in the 19th minute as Haaland bagged his first of two goals when firing a deflected effort beyond Flekken. Just over ten minutes later, as Brentford looked to contest the pace of the game well, they were undone by as close to 'route one' football you'll see under Guardiola. Ederson lofted a beautiful ball over the Bees' backline and Haaland out-muscled Pinnock before lobbing Flekken with ease to score his ninth goal in just four matches.
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