Man City beat Brentford with Haaland double

MyFootballFacts > Articles

By Martin Graham | 15th Sep 2024
Erling Haaland’s double helped Manchester City maintain their flawless start to the Premier League season, securing a hard-fought victory over Brentford. Despite an early setback, City recovered to claim the win, with Haaland playing a crucial role in the turnaround.

Early Shock for City
Brentford stunned the reigning champions just seconds into the match, with Yoane Wissa capitalizing on a defensive error. John Stones and Ederson misjudged a clearance attempt following Keane Lewis-Potter’s header, leaving Wissa to nod into an open goal after just 23 seconds—the fastest goal of the season so far.

Despite this shaky beginning, City found their rhythm thanks to Haaland’s sharp instinct. After Kevin De Bruyne was dispossessed in Brentford’s box, the Norwegian forward reacted quickly to slot the ball into the net, bringing his team back on level terms.

Haaland’s Brilliance and Missed Hat-trick Opportunity
Haaland, who took to the field despite personal sadness after the loss of a close family friend earlier in the week, added a second goal before halftime. Outmuscling Ethan Pinnock to reach a long ball from Ederson, he displayed his physical dominance and finishing prowess.

This brace brought Haaland close to achieving a rare feat—three consecutive hat-tricks in English top-flight football, something not done since 1946. He had several chances to complete his hat-trick, including a strike tipped over the bar by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken and a shot that rattled the post. However, the elusive third goal never came, though Haaland was still named the club’s man of the match.

City’s Strength Despite Challenges
Aside from Haaland’s brilliance, Manchester City showcased other standout performances. Jack Grealish looked back in form, testing Flekken with a smart effort that required a full-stretch save. Rodri made his first appearance of the season in the second half, while Phil Foden remained on the bench ahead of City’s busy upcoming schedule, including a Champions League clash against Inter Milan and a Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

Haaland’s two goals brought his tally for Manchester City to 99 in just 103 games, an astonishing scoring rate that outpaces even club legend Sergio Aguero. At this rate, the Norwegian could surpass Aguero’s record of 260 goals within a few seasons, underlining his value to the team.

Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer