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
Pep Guardiola was asked if he’d have his star man Erling Haaland available for this one after the Norwegian striker suffered a bereavement this week, yet Haaland is in the starting line-up this afternoon. Guardiola makes four changes to the side that beat West Ham 3-1 last time out with Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku all dropping to the bench. In come Kyle Walker, John Stones, Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan, making his first start since rejoining the club. City are without Nathan Ake after he picked up an ankle injury on international duty. Rodri has yet to play for the champions this season, but after featuring in Spain’s 4-1 Nations League win over Switzerland last weekend, he could emerge from the bench today.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Grealish dances down the left flank, yet his dummies are well-read and the ball is put behind for a corner on the left. It's whipped in deep by De Bruyne and Gundogan can only chase to no avail.
Manchester City vs Brentford
So far, Brentford have really stifled City, while pressuring their defence with a plethora of great runs. Unless Guardiola's side wake up, this one could add to a fine record for the Bees. They have avoided defeat in their last six matches when scoring first in the Premier League, funnily enough, since a 1-3 loss to Manchester City on 5th February 2024.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Ederson is forced into a quick-fire save from a right-sided corner! Brentford curl in the set-piece and Collins is unmarked in the middle of the penalty area to poke an effort on goal. He is denied by a brilliant reaction save from the Brazilian low down to his right.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Ederson just had to fly out of his area to slide the ball away from Wissa! Mbuemo received the ball up on the right side before finding his strike partner in acres of space in the centre. City's early defending here has been near-comical so far. Where was everyone?
Manchester City vs Brentford
City look to grow in confidence after this early scare. The ball is worked out to Savinho on the right, yet his cross is straight to Flekken.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Brentford look confident in possession here. City will need to adjsut quickly or they could be in further early trouble. The Bees will likely be buoyed by the fact that they are the last away team to have won at the Etihad in any competition. That victory came back in November 2022 and, since that loss, City have won 38 games and drawn seven at home.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Well, with that goal scored after just 0:22, Wissa has notched the fastest goal in the Premier League so far this season. That's his third of the campaign too.
Manchester City vs Brentford
We're underway here in Manchester as Brentford come forward.
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