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
Lewis-Potter strikes from the left at Ederson. He punches it and sparks a little cluster of action in the City box. Despite losing one of their talismans, that's admirable intent there. City just survive a resulting corner from the left with a clearance.
Manchester City vs Brentford
It's not a pleasant end to the first half for Brentford. After losing their early lead, they've now lost one of their forward stars to injury. Wissa limps off and makes way for Kevin Schade.
Manchester City vs Brentford
This looks a lot worse than first perceived for Wissa. The Congolese international is down receiving medical attention to his left ankle. He may have to be replaced after that somewhat grizzly Kovacic challenge. It looks like a nasty twist.
Manchester City vs Brentford
After a poor touch from a throw-in on the left, Kovacic is chasing Wissa. The striker smartly puts his body between ball and man as the Croatian lunges in. It's a desperate one from behind, and the former Chelsea and Real Madrid man is the first player in Darren Bond's book today.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Brentford's back five is rigidly perched on the edge of their own box as City try and work the spaces. It goes right to Savinho, yet his low cross is blocked. The corner on that side comes in and Grealish strikes a volley straight at Haaland it looks like. That's a great block if he's in a Brentford shirt.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Ederson looks to supply Haaland again, this time on the floor as he backs into Collins. The Norwegian plays it off to Savinho but can't get the return ball in behind his marker. Danger personified.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Savinho receives the ball from Gundogan on the left side and cuts on to his left-foot to fire a curler at Flekken's goal. It's online, yet a routine stop for the Dutchman. With a little more power, that would've been a fine addition to City's eight first-half goals so far this season. That number is more than any other team in the Premier League this term.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Almost instantly, City look to get another one as Grealish is played in clear on the left. However, he tries to square and Ajer sticks it over his own bar. With the corner, it drops to Savinho on the edge of the box and Collins blocks. Yet, he's done so at the detriment of his crown jewels. Ouch.
Manchester City vs Brentford
With this performance so far, Brentford are going against a key trend of theirs. Since the start of last season, the Bees have lost more Premier League away games (13) than any side currently in the competition. They've also lost each of their last five away league games against sides that finished the previous season in the Premier League’s top four. Looking good so far...
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