Manchester City edged past a resolute Brentford side 1-0 in a tense encounter at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland’s late strike proved the difference after a frustrating match for the champions, who struggled to break down a well-organized Brentford defense.
Thomas Frank’s men adopted a cautious approach, deploying a deep block with ten men behind the ball. This strategy initially frustrated City, who lacked their usual fluidity in attack. However, Pep Guardiola’s side persisted, and their persistence paid off in the 71st minute.
A swift sequence of passes culminated in Rúben Dias finding Rodri, who fed Julián Álvarez. The Argentine’s pass found Haaland, who capitalized on a slip by Kristoffer Ajer to slot home the winner from inside the box.
This goal proved decisive, despite Brentford’s late efforts. The victory moves City to within a point of Liverpool at the top of the table, setting up a potentially title-defining clash between the two sides at Anfield on March 10th.
Haaland’s strike was particularly significant as it silenced his critics after missing chances against Chelsea. Pep Guardiola defended his star striker, stating, “Top strikers score goals, and he will shut your mouth. He is not at his best yet, but he is showing his quality.”
The win was hard-fought for City, who struggled to penetrate Brentford’s compact defense. Guardiola acknowledged the challenge, stating, “Last season we lost six points against them. In these type of games, you need Erling.”
Despite the difficult encounter, City maintain their impressive form, extending their unbeaten run in the league to 10 matches. This victory keeps them firmly in the title race and sets the stage for a mouthwatering clash against Liverpool next month.