.png)
2 hours ago
1
A 250th Premier League win for Pep Guardiola, achieved at record speed, and in a season where no contender is perfect, a seventh title trophy cannot be ruled out. The Manchester City of autumn 2025 is work in progress, low on previous star quality but still full of possibilities. The presence of Erling Haaland in his currently devastating form is a cast-iron guarantee they will be sticking around for a while yet.
The ninth minute saw Haaland score his ninth Premier League goal of the season. Supplied by Josko Gvardiol, Haaland was left with plenty to do but his power and speed completed the job, bustling through Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins to clatter past Caoímhin Kelleher. At 25, and handed a leadership role by his manager, Haaland is thriving under added responsibility.
City fans singing for Kevin De Bruyne pertinently reminded Haaland is no longer supported by proven winners, much of the star system that once surrounded him now passed into club legend. The new City is full of promise, but where their Premier League peers have bought finished products, to currently mixed results, the project has turned towards potential. A victory ground out at Brentford saw first-half dominance followed by a more tentative second half as a determined opponent fought back into the contest but suffered for a lack of composure when opportunities arose.
Keith Andrews was denied in his quest to become the first manager to beat Manchester United and Manchester City in consecutive games, the last being Tottenham’s Gerry Francis in 1996. In City’s 2022-23 treble-winning season, only Thomas Frank’s Brentford’s did a league double over them. Matching those historic feats proved beyond the reach of Andrews’ team. The Irishman’s technical area vigil was anguished, the key moments never quite coming off, despite endeavours that made life uncomfortable for City, particularly in the closing moments. By the conclusion, Guardiola too was a frantic presence on the touchline.
Brentford had kicked off with the same starting lineup as last week, bar Kristoffer Ajer replacing Dango Ouattara. Where United made it easy for Brentford to find space and create opportunities, City took tight grasp from the start, Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade feeding off meagre scraps, as their colleagues maintained their defensive shape. Bees’ fans greatest thrills in the first half came when Gianluigi Donnarumma was asked to play the ball; the Italian made no mistakes, to audible disappointment.
For City, Jérémy Doku, in fine form of late, was a notable omission, the latest victim of a Guardiola tombola team selection that suggests a continuing search for the formula. Rodri in midfield after playing in Monaco was supposed to be a mark of progress in recovery from his knee injury, only for him to depart with a muscle injury, rubbing his right haunch in disappointment as Nico González replaced him.
Matheus Nunes, a player bought as an attacker but now a full-time right-back, with Oscar Bobb and Savinho flanking Haaland were the other changes from midweek. Phil Foden, omitted by Thomas Tuchel to the surprise of many, had two efforts created by the twinkle toes of Bobb, City’s other Norwegian showing off a talent flourishing since his own return from long-term injury.
It required an instinctive save from Kelleher to deny Tijjani Reijnders’ volley; City really ought to have been further ahead at half-time than 1-0. That only Haaland has scored more than a single Premier League goal suggests someone other than the No 9 needs to step up soon.
The second half arrived with Andrews and his players appearing well ahead of City’s return. Michael Kayode’s early surge down the right flank brought fresh impetus from Brentford. A golden chance was missed – and saved – when Gvardiol’s header set up Thiago for a one-on-one where an onrushing Donnarumma prevailed.
City attempted to resume their rhythm, passing patterns to pull Brentford defenders into uncomfortable places. Andrews’ angst was mirrored by Jordan Henderson’s exhortations to his teammates but progress was being made. Schade’s escape down the left and Kayode’s header wide suggested City’s failure to kill the game might have consequences.
after newsletter promotion
That Haaland was now being asked to defend Kayode’s long throws offered further encouragement. This City team does not kill off opponents as was habitual in the imperial phase of the recent past. The skill level continues to be elite, but this Guardiola team does not toy with or batter their prey into submission.
After Henderson, booked for a foul on Foden, departed to boos from the away fans, Doku arrived, along with Bernardo Silva, a Guardiola general retained to steady matters. Haaland continued to be busier in defence. When Schade hunted down Donnarumma to win a corner, the home fans were expectant, only for City’s lines to be cleared. Next, the Italian swatted the ball off for another Kayode launch, disappointment sounding when Aaron Hickey blasted over the loose ball.
Injury time featured Haaland and Guardiola directing their team’s play together, manager and star player in tandem before victory was achieved. They will need each other in the challenges ahead.
