Manchester City vs Brentford. Premier League.
Etihad StadiumAttendance52,137.
Match report and free match highlights as Erling Haaland recovers after a frustrating performance against Chelsea to move Man City above Arsenal and to within one points of Premier League leaders Liverpool; Kevin De Bruyne was an unused substitute due to hamstring 'niggles'
Thursday 22 February 2024 10:10, UK
Erling Haaland's second-half goal moved Manchester City one point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool as they beat Brentford 1-0.
City endured a tense evening until Haaland benefitted from Kristoffer Ajer's slip to score the winner after 71 minutes, putting the frustration of Saturday's nine missed chances against Chelsea behind him.
Bernardo Silva's glaring first-half miss and Ben Mee's clearance off the line to deny Oscar Bobb on his first league start had only added to the anxiety at the Etihad, but Haaland's 17th league goal secured a seventh league win in eight games for the hosts.
City move a point above Arsenal having taken advantage of their game in hand, while keeping the pressure on Liverpool who host Luton on Wednesday night in the league. The champions face Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal in a daunting run of March fixtures.
Pep Guardiola revealed after the game that Kevin De Bruyne, an unused substitute, was not fit enough to play because he was feeling his hamstring. "It's just a precaution but he didn't feel comfortable and so after five months off we didn't take any risk," he said.
Brentford had their chances but were wasteful again as Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa failed to capitalise when through in the first half. Thomas Frank's side are five points above the relegation zone after just two wins in their last 11 league games.
Man City bossed possession early on but it was Brentford that had the better of the chances as John Stones had to be alert to slide clear Toney's through ball to Wissa. City were most vulnerable on the break and perhaps should have been punished.
Frank Onyeka - yet to score for Brentford in 67 games - was one-on-one with Ederson at an angle but shot straight at the Man City goalkeeper. Wissa could do no better when in on goal, his poor headed touch taking the chance away from him.
Haaland, who had not scored in his last two games for City, endured more frustration in the first half despite his best efforts. Toney and Manuel Akanji both came close with efforts from range, with the Man City defender seeing his shot tipped over.
The tension grew at the Etihad as City toiled in the final third. The mood wasn't helped by the sight of Silva missing from five yards out. Bobb also had a shot cleared off the line by Ben Mee as Brentford clung on.
City showed no sign of finding a breakthrough after the break as Brentford kept them at bay. The visiting side again showed more promise going forward and could have seen Toney test Ederson one-on-one had Onyeka found the striker with a through ball.
As the wait for a goal went on, the decision to leave De Bruyne on the bench looked more and more puzzling. Guardiola later explained he was not risked due to a niggle in his hamstring.
Brentford's resistance was broken after an unfortunate slip by Ajer, which allowed Haaland clean through, as the Bees were made to pay for their profligacy for a second game running after the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool.
Haaland finished convincingly past Flekken, scoring his first goal against Brentford, to claim a Premier League full house and secure a vital win for his side, who are now 10 games unbeaten in the league ahead of a decisive month in the title race.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola:
"Brentford are such a difficult team to play against. Last season they took six points from us. They are incredibly organised. Toney is a master player at keeping the ball, he's an incredible player.
"After that they are really good in all details, throw ins and free kicks and so on.
"We played a really good game, we had a lot of chances considering how tough it is to create against them. Our game in hand, we won it and now we recover. Now we come to the toughest period of the season."
On his missing captain, he added: "Today we could not use Kevin because he had niggles in his hamstring and I didn't want to take a risk," he said, adding: "He's okay. It's just a precaution but he didn't feel comfortable and so after five months off we didn't take any risk."
Haaland has now scored against every Premier League opponent he has faced in the Premier League, having failed to find the back of the net in his previous two encounters with the Bees.
The 23-year-old is now only one club away from beating every opponent he has faced domestically. Which club? None other than title rivals Liverpool. That set could be completed when the sides meet in front of the Sky cameras on March 10.
Haaland had missed a glut of chances last time out in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, registering 1.58 expected goals to no avail. He should have netted nearly two more goals this campaign, according to xG. Last season, he scored seven more than expected.
Yet, the Norwegian still leads the way in the Premier League scoring charts with 17 goals and has attempted a league-topping number of shots (82) and shots on target (40).
Former Man City defender Danny Mills on Soccer Special:
"It was a fantastic finish from Erling Haaland through one on one. Clearly he is not lacking in any confidence.
"Brentford were unfortunate, their gameplan was almost perfect. It was nine, 10, 11 men behind the ball at times and they frustrated City.
"But as champions do, City found a way. Games like that you have to win. City have managed to do that.
"It's going to be a fantastic title race but my money is still on City.
"City have big games to come but if they come through that unscathed they are almost champions elect."
Brentford boss Thomas Frank:
"Incredibly proud of the team and very pleased with the performance. We know they are the best team in the league and the world - very difficult to close down.
"We limited them to very little. The Bernardo Silva header and the Bobb chance that was cleared off the line. Until the goal, because of the slip. They are good enough, they don't need that luck to get them over the line.
"For me in the second half we were in control defensively. I think we were getting close to getting something and we had a few opportunities. We are back to that high level defensive urgency, which I am pleased with.
"It seems the margins are not going our way but we need to keep believing."
City travel to Bournemouth on Saturday Night Football (kick-off 5.30pm), while Brentford visit West Ham United on Monday Night Football (kick-off 8pm), with both games live on Sky Sports.
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