Erling Haaland scores twice as Manchester City beat Brentford (Image: Getty)
Erling Haaland was once again the driving force behind Manchester City as they cruised to a 2-1 home win over Brentford. The red-hot forward scored both City goals in an action-packed first half that began with Yoane Wissa's goal opening the scoring for the visitors in the 22nd minute.
The Blues' comeback preserves their flawless start to the Premier League season and ensures they finish top of the table this weekend after Liverpool's surprise home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
With that, Express Sport takes you through four key talking points from an entertaining contest at the Etihad Stadium…
Erling Haaland's goalscoring spree continues
No player had ever started a Premier League season with nine goals in their first four games before Haaland scored his second against Brentford. And the Norwegian's double was made even more impressive by the fact he could have missed the game on compassionate grounds following the death of a family friend.
Haaland had no intention of letting another goal slip away after his consecutive hat-tricks against Ipswich Town and West Ham. This time, the City striker scored with his right foot after being set up by Kevin De Bruyne, and cleverly finished off a one-on-one by shrugging off Ethan Pinnock and converting a long-range pass from Ederson. He could have had another match ball if one of his many late chances had found the back of the net.
Yoane Wissa gave Brentford a surprise lead inside 30 seconds (Image: Getty)
Arsenal and Liverpool have a glimmer of hope
Haaland's goal-fest is all well and good, but reading between the lines reveals a fact that might make City fans uncomfortable. Of the 11 goals scored in the Premier League this season, nine of them have been scored by Haaland.
The rest of City's squad have scored twice in four games. That will hardly worry Pep Guardiola provided Haaland remains fit, healthy and in good form, but it also means that an injury to the 24-year-old could be catastrophic.
The defending champions' goals have not been evenly distributed, which should encourage their main title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool, especially as City have failed to sign a replacement striker after selling Julian Alvarez in the summer.
Ederson at one of the Premier League's peaks
The City keeper is in a league of his own when it comes to goalkeepers with the ability to touch the ball. On Saturday, he proved that again by stepping up to create Haaland's second goal and grabbing the fourth assist of his Premier League career. Paul Robinson is the only keeper with more (five) but the former Tottenham and Blackburn Rovers player finished his career with 122 more top-flight appearances than Ederson currently has on his CV.
Rodri returns
Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic have done a good job of anchoring City's midfield in the absence of Rodri, who suffered a hamstring injury in the Euro 2024 final. The Spaniard returned as a half-time substitute against Brentford, and the sooner he is up to speed the better for Guardiola, with the games now shaping up to be tight and fast-paced.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1948595/erling-haaland-man-city-brentford-arsenal