The victory for Man City, was not easy against the determined Brentford and moved Man City into second spot in the Premier League table, a solitary point behind table toppers Liverpool.
Before the Man City vs Brentford match, Erling Haaland had scored against 20 of the 21 Premier League teams he’s faced.
Haaland added Thomas Frank’s ‘Bees’ to round out his scoring list and secured Man City a solid three points.
What happened in Man City Vs Brentford
Man City started the game in typical fashion, probing and prodding for a breakthrough. Precise passing and tight formations were the usual highlights as they looked to sting Brentford early on.
Brentford had a slew of good chances, as they kept the game on an even keel, with Yoane Wissa coming into the game via Ivan Toney on 11 minutes. Man City’s John Stones was able to make an impressive interception to thwart the offense.
Wissa took on Frank Onyeka and only had Ederson to beat between the sticks at 16 minutes but his shot at goal was comfortably saved by Man City’s no.31.
Wissa went for glory much to the frustration of Toney who seemed to be open at the back. Toney got another shot himself with a 25-yard free-kick just over the crossbar.
Man City buzzed at the same pace as the Bees as the first half was an equal opportunity one.
There were some brilliant chances for Man City in the space of four minutes. Bernardo went close on 34 minutes but did not convert, Rodrigo floated the ball to Kyle Walker on the right who nodded it into the Portuguese’s path, but the midfielder went wide.
Manuel Akanji then drilled a curling effort for Man City, but Brentford’s Mark Flekken earned his paycheck quite admirably.
Flekken was also able to flit away a Ruben Dias header shortly thereafter.
The best chance was for Oscar Bobb, making his Premier League debut, as the 20-year-old broke into the box, feigned to shoot, waited and then shot to be cleared by Ben Mee.
Man City continued to push, with a Dias shot kept out by Flekken just before the end of the first half on 43 minutes.
The second half continued with more of the same gameplay with Man City on the attack, probing with intent and Brentford hunkering down and keeping Haaland and Co. out.
As ‘Come on City’ chants echoed around the stadium, Guardiola whipped up supporters at the Etihad stadium..
Haaland finally delivered as he broke the deadlock on 71 minutes, finishing on a clever Alvarez throughball.
Haaland found net again on 81 minutes, on a Walker cut, but the official’s flag went, cutting short the celebrations.
Man City kept on the offensive in search of a second, with Phil Foden’s effort which Flekken, ever the busy man on the night, over on 88 minutes.
Foden went closer in the first of six minutes added time, but could not convert, even as hopes of a Brentford equalizer faded.
The final whistle was met with cheers and relief as Brentford kept Man City on their toes throughout at the Etihad.
Teams that played Man City Vs Brentford
MAN CITY XI: Ederson, Walker (C) Stones, Dias, Akanji, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Foden, Alvarez (Kovacic 89’), Bobb (Doku 61’), Haaland
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Ake, De Bruyne, Gomez, Nunes, Lewis
BRENTFORD XI: Flekken, Onyeka (Damsgaard 89’), Ajer, Mee, Roerslev (Ghoddos 89’), Jorgensen, Norgaard, Janelt (Jensen 77’), Reguilon (Lewis-Potter 78’), Toney, Wissa (Maupay 68’)
Subs: Strakosha, Collins, Baptiste, Yarmoliuk
Man City vs Brentford Player of the Match: Manuel Akanji
Manuel Akanji showcased his versatility in the victory over Brentford, occupying the role that John Stones starred in.
Stones has had his injury problems this term which has seen the former Borussia Dortmund man Akanji shine for Man City.
For Man City vs Brentford, Akanji switched to a starring left-back role in a backline defense against the buzzing Bees.
Man City Vs Brentford: Pep Guardiola Reaction
Pep Guardiola said of the win, ‘We defended really well…We spoke about situations with free kicks and corners, and if we defend well, we have to celebrate like a goal because they are such an incredible threat in every department…I never see a team play and create so many dangerous situations like Brentford in my life. I never saw a team like them…Every corner and free-kick is a nightmare. The guys – the back four and Erling, Rodri, the smarts of Bernardo help us a lot to defend these type of situations.’
Man City Vs Brentford: Oscar Bob speaks of win
On the result, Oscar Bobb said, ‘We were up against a very good team and we had some good chances that usually we would score. It was a tough opponent.’
Praising Erling Haaland, Bobb said ‘He’s the best in the world. He’s only three years older than me but it’s crazy to play with one of the greats.’
On his debut Premier League start, Bobb said ‘It was great. Another step and I’m very happy with the win.’
Man City Vs Brentford: AKANJI REACTION
Akanji said of the closely-fought match ‘It wasn’t easy today. Brentford defended really well…We tried to attack from the first minute until the last….We scored the goal on a counter attack. Brentford had a good opportunity but we got the ball and went on the counter, the defender slipped, Erling went through on goal and the efficiency was there, he scored a great goal..We know how hard it is to play against Brentford. They defend really well, play a lot of long balls and are great at set-pieces…So we knew it wouldn’t be easy playing against the back five…We did pretty well today. I can’t remember any big chances they had. We did well defensively and offensively we stayed patient and waited till we scored.’
Man City Vs Brentford: What the win against Brentford means for Man City
Victory this evening over Brentford has moved Man City up a spot in the Premier League table.
Man City started the day in third place but they have leapfrogged Arsenal into second now. Liverpool are top on 57 points, Man City is second on 56 points with the Gunners in third on 55 points – all after 25 games.
What’s next for Man City
Man City is back in action this weekend as we travel to Bournemouth on Saturday.
It’s a 17:30 (UK) kick-off at the Vitality Stadium as we take on Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth.