Manchester City continued their perfect start to the Premier League season with a 2-1 comeback win over Brentford on Saturday. In a thrilling match, Brentford stunned the Etihad Stadium with the fastest goal of the season, scored just 22 seconds after kickoff by Yoane Wissa. However, it was the unstoppable Erling Haaland who turned the game around, scoring twice and leading City to their fourth consecutive win.
A Blistering Start for Brentford
Brentford couldn’t have asked for a better start. The game had barely kicked off when Keane Lewis-Potter’s header into the box caused confusion between Manchester City’s goalkeeper Ederson and defender John Stones. In the chaos, Yoane Wissa pounced and easily nodded the ball into an open net, leaving the City defense in disarray.
The early goal put the Bees on the front foot, and they continued to exploit City’s defense with smart attacks down the flanks. Manchester City, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm and had less possession than expected during the opening stages. But as we’ve seen so many times before, it only takes one moment of brilliance from City’s star striker to change everything.
Erling Haaland Levels the Game
Despite Brentford’s early dominance, Haaland found the back of the net in the 20th minute with his second touch of the game. From a tight angle, he managed to squeeze the ball past Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken, restoring parity at 1-1. This was Haaland’s eighth goal of the season, and as always, his ability to create something out of nothing was on full display.
Brentford continued to pose a threat, but City began to claw back control. By the time Haaland scored his second goal in the 56th minute, City were in the driver’s seat. A long ball from Ederson found Haaland, who outmuscled defender Ethan Pinnock and coolly chipped the ball past Flekken, making it 2-1. Haaland’s physical presence and clinical finishing were once again the decisive factors in City’s comeback.
Haaland’s Hunt for a Hat-Trick
As the game progressed, Haaland pushed hard for a third goal that would have seen him make Premier League history by becoming the first player to score hat-tricks in three consecutive games. But Brentford’s goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, was having none of it. Flekken made several key saves to deny the Norwegian, including a spectacular tip over the bar after a powerful Haaland strike.
Brentford’s defense, while under constant pressure, managed to prevent Haaland from achieving the historic hat-trick. The Bees’ initial attacking intent faded as City took control, especially after the introduction of Rodri in the second half, which helped solidify City’s midfield.
Brentford’s Threat Wanes in the Second Half
While Brentford started the game brightly, their intensity dropped significantly after halftime. The pace and creativity that had troubled City early on were no longer present, and they struggled to create clear-cut chances. Even though they had space to attack on the flanks in the first half, those opportunities dried up in the second period as City tightened their defensive setup.
City’s midfield and defense began to dominate possession, and Brentford found themselves penned into their own half for long periods. Despite Flekken’s heroics in goal, City’s relentless attacking pressure meant that Brentford could not find an equalizer.
City’s Dominance Continues
With this victory, Manchester City moved to 12 points after four games, three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Brentford, despite their spirited performance, remained on six points. City manager Pep Guardiola will be pleased with his team’s resilience, especially after a slow start and defensive mishaps early in the game.
The standout performer was undoubtedly Erling Haaland, who now has nine goals in four games, more than any other team in the Premier League. His ability to consistently find the back of the net makes him one of the most feared forwards in world football today.
FAQs
Brentford scored just 22 seconds after kickoff when a mix-up between City’s John Stones and Ederson allowed Yoane Wissa to head into an empty net.
After scoring twice against Brentford, Haaland has now netted nine goals in four Premier League games this season.
Manchester City won 2-1, coming from behind after Brentford’s early goal.
No, despite coming close, Haaland was denied a hat-trick by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Ederson assisted Haaland’s second goal with a long ball upfield that allowed the striker to outmuscle his defender and score.
Conclusion
Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Brentford showcased the brilliance of Erling Haaland once again. Despite an early shock from Brentford’s lightning-quick goal, City’s resilience and quality shone through. Haaland’s two goals were enough to seal the win and maintain City’s perfect start to the Premier League season. With nine goals already, Haaland is proving to be unstoppable as City charge forward in their title defense. The race is on, and with Haaland in this form, City are well and truly in the driver’s seat.
