Pep Guardiola admitted his side needed the killer instinct of Erling Haaland after they edged out Brentford 1-0 in a nervy encounter that left his side one point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Haaland settled the contest in the 71st minute when he punished a slip from Kristoffer Ajer, running from the halfway line to slot the ball under the unfortunate Mark Flekken, who had another outstanding match against the reigning champions.
After a week in which Guardiola had to answer questions about the Norwegian star, whose misses proved costly in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, Haaland made no mistake with one of the very few clear chances a well-organised Brentford side afforded City on the night.
“If I had to choose one (player), I choose this one,” Guardiola said of the moment.
It was Haaland’s third goal in seven games since returning from the foot injury that sidelined him for two months. Last week, he mourned the death of his grandmother Tone Rascal, mother of his father Alf-Inge, at the age of 80.
Asked if he had needed to speak to the striker, Guardiola said: “We spoke about the moment and I realised this later, but he didn’t say anything about the passing away of his grandmother. We talked about how he feels and of course for his father.
“In this type of game like Brentford, you need Erling. With not much space, you can play with a typical striker.”
City struggled to break down a determined Brentford side. Kevin De Bruyne was kept on the bench throughout the night, not even emerging to warm up with the game in the balance, and Guardiola revealed the Belgian playmaker had a hamstring issue, having already missed five months of the season.
“Today we could not use Kevin because he had niggles in his hamstring and I didn’t want to take 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.”
Brentford had defended doggedly before the goal, more than once having all 11 players inside their own box in open play. Bernardo Silva headed a glorious chance wide before Oscar Bobb created space only to shoot straight at Flekken, but otherwise there were few real opportunities.
Having taken six points off City last season, Brentford threatened to do damage to their title bid again this time before Haaland stepped in – he has now scored against all 21 opponents he has faced in the Premier League.
“I think throughout the game we were brilliant, I’m very proud and pleased with the players’ performance,” Bees manager Thomas Frank said. “They believed and it gives me a lot of belief in them going forwards.
“The way we defended the whole game was magnificent in terms of structure, defensive principles, urgency. Before the goal, we gave away the header to Bernardo Silva and the Oscar Bobb chance and it was two big chances. If you can limit City to two big chances, you have done a very good job.
“If (Ajer) doesn’t slip I’m convinced it would not be a goal. Haaland is quick but Kristoffer is as quick. City are good so they don’t need the margins going their way.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres vs Madueke EPL teams vs PSG This would be so funny BELIEVE it or NOT - Italy will be playing in a CRICKET WORLD CUP before they play in a FOOTBALL WORLD CUP! IMAGINE someone told you just a Year ago that Ousmane Dembele would WIN The Ballon d'Or before Kylian Mbappe & Erling Haaland! Lionel Andres Messi is The First Player EVER in MLS histor...
Former Liverpool forward Carroll joins sixth-tier side in EnglandFormer Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll has officially joined Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League South, which lies in the sixth-tier in England.Fenerbahce eye PSG duo after securing Duran and BrownAccording to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Fenerbahce are in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over deals for Mar...
WHAT HAPPENED?According to a report from Marca, Konate has already told the Liverpool leadership that he wouldn't mind leaving the club this summer, as long as Real Madrid make an offer for him. The Premier League champions are seriously considering cashing in on the Frenchman — who is into the final year of his contract at Anfield — amid fears that they might lose him for free next su...
Tottenham Hotspur are now plotting a surprise move for the Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.Spurs need more midfield qualityAccording to GMS, they are looking to find out how much it would take to sign the Portuguese international this summer. He has not been able to hit top form since joining the German club, and Palhinha has been linked with a return to the Premier League.According to repo...
According to recent reports, former United defender Alvaro Carreras is on the cusp of joining Real Madrid. United had a buy-back clause that will expire in 2026, following the Spanish full-back's initial transfer to Benfica after a successful loan period with the Portuguese giants.As per Fabrizio Romano, Benfica has confirmed that it won't activate the clause included in Carreras' transfer deal to...
John Terry delivers verdict on Chelsea's title hopesChelsea legend John Terry believes his old side need some experience and have some way to go if they want to win the Premier League title.Chelsea secured a fourth-placed finish and won the Europa Conference League in 2024-25 with the youngest squad in the Premier League.Enzo Maresca’s side have carried that fine form into the new-look FIFA ...
Toni Kroos weighs in on Xabi Alonso's biggest problem at Real MadridReal Madrid legend Toni Kross has weighed in on what he believes is new manager Xabi Alonso's biggest concern ahead of the new season.Alonso’s side were dumped out of the Club World Cup in humiliating fashion, losing 4-0 to a PSG side that never really had to get out of first gear.Kroos, 35, believes the sides lack of defens...
Javier Tebas offers reason behind Barcelona's failed Nico Williams pursuitLa Liga president Javier Tebas as weighed in on why Barcelona ultimately failed in their pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams.The 22-year-old looked set to head to the Camp Nou before pulling out of the deal at the last minute and signing a massive ten-year deal with Athletic.It’s since been reported that Will...
Juventus eye shock move for SECOND unwanted Man United forwardJuventus have reportedly made Man United forward Marcus Rashford their priority target amid links with fellow wantaway star Jadon Sancho.The Serie A giants have been heavily linked with a move for Sancho, 25, following his return to Old Trafford from his loan at Chelsea.Several reports have suggested that United have accepted an offer o...
Al-Nassr eye move for AC Milan star Christian PulisicAl-Nassr have reportedly made AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic their new number one target as they continue their search for attacking reinforcements.According to journalist Rudy Galetti, the 26-year-old is the latest star to be linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League this summer.Al-Nassr are on the lookout for a new forward had have previou...
- 1 Lionesses captain Leah Williamson strips down to her underwear
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 New coach confirms Modric move to Milan
- 4 FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Fixture schedule, group standings, knockout round, tickets, format & everything you need to know
- 5 Bayern ready to rival Arsenal for Eberechi Eze and target move for Chelsea flop after losing Jamal Musiala to injury
- 6 From Maura to Maya, the stars show swimwear with sky-high cuts
- 7 Dominic Calvert-Lewin in talks with Newcastle as Man United circle
- 8 Marcus Rashford trains alone after returning to Man Utd for pre-season despite being given extra time off by Ruben Amorim to find new club
- 9 DAZN sports host nearly suffers wardrobe malfunction at CWC
- 10 Everton sign Villarreal striker Barry: The fans here are like crazy people, I like this!