FAST DOWNLOAD
Erling Haaland paid the perfect tribute to his late family friend Ivar Eggja by making more Premier League history as Manchester City made it four wins out of four with a 2-1 victory despite facing a stern test from Brentford.
Yoane Wissa gave the Bees – the last team to beat City at home in any competition, 22 months ago – the lead after just 22 seconds and Thomas Frank’s side should have added to their early advantage.
The visitors dominated the ball for most of the first half and Ederson prevented them from striking again before Haaland equalised, celebrating in a restrained manner. The Norwegian then struck his ninth goal of the season to give City the lead before half-time, surpassing Wayne Rooney as the player to score the most goals in the first four games of a Premier League campaign.
Haaland had around an hour to make yet more history and become the first player in 78 years of English league football to score three consecutive hat-tricks, but the milestone just evaded him: he struck the post and had two shots blocked, one by a fine save from Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
City had other things to worry about though and Brentford were so dangerous on the counter-attack that by the end Kevin De Bruyne resorted to keeping the ball in the corner to see the game out. The tactic worked and City raced three points clear at the top of the table thanks to Liverpool’s shock defeat at home by Nottingham Forest.
GOAL rates Man City’s players from the Etihad Stadium…
-
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (8/10):
Made three vital interventions to prevent Brentford scoring again, then set up Haaland’s second with one of his lethal long kicks.
Kyle Walker (6/10):
Not great for the Brentford goal but quickly showed his usual defensive composure and recovery pace. Inches away from scoring a wonder-goal.
John Stones (5/10):
Made a hash of a simple clearance which allowed Wissa to score.
Manuel Akanji (6/10):
His positioning helped stem the early bleeding when Brentford were dominating.
Rico Lewis (5/10):
Less comfortable on the left, where the Brentford goal originated from. Replaced at half-time.
-
Getty Images SportMidfield
Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):
Lost the ball before Brentford scored, but soon settled back into his usual rhythm and helped City wrestle back control of the game.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
Made a sleepy start to the game but then woke up and drove the team forward for the equaliser. Booked for an agricultural challenge on Wissa – which saw the striker hobble off – and subsequently taken off at half-time.
Kevin De Bruyne (6/10):
Worked the ball to Haaland for the equaliser but was often frustrated.
-
-
Getty Images SportAttack
Savinho (8/10):
Twisted his way through Brentford on numerous occasions and dovetailed well with his attackers. Missed one nailed-on chance and was inches away from scoring a tremendous solo goal.
Erling Haaland (9/10):
Scored with his first chance, needing one touch (and a deflection) to equalise. Used his strength for the second. Did everything to get the third, including hitting the post
Jack Grealish (7/10):
Perhaps had his confidence lifted by his fine displays for England and carried on his international form.
-
Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Rodri (6/10):
Made his first appearance of the season and was back to his best, dictating the pace of the game and striking up a fine understanding with Gundogan.
Josko Gvardiol (7/10):
His superior strength and experience made him an upgrade on Lewis, defending superbly and providing a big threat going forward.
Bernardo Silva (N/A):
Replaced Grealish in the 84th minute.
Ruben Dias (N/A):
Replaced Stones in the 84th minute.
Matheus Nunes (N/A):
Came on in added time.
Pep Guardiola (6/10):
Will have been furious with early stages, but his two half-time changes gave City control of the second half.
-
-
