Erling Haaland extended his blistering start to the season as the Manchester City striker sealed a 1-0 win at Brentford on Sunday.
Haaland netted early in the first half in west London to give City a third win in their last four Premier League games.
The peerless 25-year-old already has 12 goals in nine appearances in all competitions this season, plus six in two matches for Norway, with Tottenham the only team to stop him scoring in the current campaign.
City survived a second-half dip to move into fifth place in the Premier League.
“He has been so important this season for us I would say. We need more goals from the other ones but the chances were there,” City boss Pep Guardiola said.
Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions since losing at Brighton in August.
City still trail leaders Arsenal by three points but they go into the international break with renewed impetus after a slow start to the season.
The only concern for Guardiola was the sight of Rodri being forced off with a first-half injury after appearing to damage his hamstring.
The Spain midfielder has struggled to finish games since coming back at the Club World Cup in the summer following anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
Rodri, who won the prestigious Ballon d’Or after his brilliant form in 2024, only managed to play for an hour against Monaco after sitting out City’s two previous fixtures.
“Hopefully, it will not be huge,” Guardiola said of Rodri’s latest injury.
Haaland had been in typically clinical form in the 2-2 draw at Monaco on Wednesday, Guardiola’s men twice squandered the lead as they conceded a last-gasp equaliser.
They wouldn’t repeat their Champions League mistakes as they secured Guardiola’s 250th Premier League victory.
“We played an outstanding first half that is close to our best in many things. The problem is when you don’t score more it’s difficult in the second half and this happened. But in general, really pleased with this month,” Guardiola said.
Guardiola surprisingly left Belgian winger Jeremy Doku on the bench despite his impressive start to the season.
Be the first to comment