Prior to this evening, Haaland had scored against all but one of the 21 Premier League teams he had encountered. Adding Thomas Frank’s team to his comprehensive list, he earned us three crucial points. The hard-fought win against the determined and resilient visitors propelled us into the second position in the Premier League standings, trailing leaders Liverpool by just one point.

In the match against Brentford, Manchester City began with their usual probing and pressing, seeking an early goal. However, Brentford grew into the game and had several good chances in the first half, with City goalkeeper Ederson making crucial saves. The first half saw both teams having opportunities, but neither managed to brеɑk the deadlock.

City continued their ɑttɑϲking efforts in the second half, with manager Pep Guardiola urging the team forward. The breakthrough finally came in the 71st minute when Erling Haaland scored after a clever through ball by Julian Alvarez. Haaland had another goal disallowed due to offside on 81 minutes. Despite Brentford’s resilient defense, City pressed on for a second goal, with Phil Foden’s efforts well saved by the Brentford goalkeeper. The final whistle brought cheers of victory for City, but relief seemed to be the prevailing emotion after a challenging encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

In the win against Brentford, Manuel Akanji was named the Player of the Match, showcasing his versatility on the field. Traditionally a center-back, Akanji has demonstrated his adaptability by playing in midfield earlier in the season, filling the role that John Stones excelled in during City’s Treble-winning season. With Stones facing ιnjᴜry issues this season, Akanji has been a pivotal figure in City’s defense. In the recent match, he displayed his flexibility by excelling at left-back in a defensive setup that kept Brentford from scoring.