Manchester City were made to wait as Erling Haaland broke the deadlock in the 71st minute to hand Pep Guardiola's side all three points against Brentford.
2023/2024 Premier League
1-0
Match Report
After a frustrating display against Chelsea, Haaland was back on the scoresheet as he capitalised on a mistake from Krisstofer Ajer, who slipped at the vital moment, allowing Haaland to race through and score.
Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer appeared to have the situation under control when Julian Alvarez played a pass into the visitors' half as City countered.
But as Haaland began the chase, Ajer slipped and could not regain his feet as the Norwegian sped past.
The 23-year-old kept his cool to beat Mark Flekken with a precise shot. It was Haaland's 22nd goal of the season and means he has now scored against every Premier League opponent he has faced.
More importantly, it secured a victory that took City above Arsenal into second spot and kept a record fourth consecutive title in their own hands given they still have to visit Liverpool on 10 March.
While the result was not exactly harsh on Brentford given City's dominance, the manner of it was unfortunate. Thomas Frank's side were much more organised than they were in the heavy defeat against Liverpool at the weekend.
However, with six points from their last 11 games, they are only five points off the relegation zone and still searching for the sustained improvement that will get them away from trouble.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start！
8' CLOSE! Foden’s shot saved by Goalkeeper!
10' CLOSE! Ruben makes timely block
17' SAVE! Fine stop from world-class Ederson
20' CLOSE! Toney’s shot wide out
26' Alvarez’s shot flies into the sky
33' CHANCE! Bernardo header over the bar
36' OFF THE LINE! Oscar Bobb this time
62' Jeremy Doku replaces Oscar Bobb
68' Yellow Card! Ivan Toney booked
71' GOAL! Man City 1-0 Brentford (Haaland)
80' Haaland scores again, But it’s ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
Line-ups
Man City XI: Walker, Stones, Ederson, Ruben Dias, Bernardo, Akanji, Rodri, Haaland, Foden, Julián Álvarez, Oscar Bobb
Subs: Carson, De Bruyne, Stefan Ortega, Kovacic, Ake, Sergio Gómez, Matheus Nunes, Jérémy Doku, Rico Lewis
Brentford XI: Jorgensen, Mee, Christian Nørgaard, Mark Flekken, Ivan Toney, Yoane Wissa, Kristoffer Ajer, Reguilon, Janelt, Mads Roerslev, Frank Onyeka
Subs: S. Ghoddos, Strakosha, Maupay, Mathias Jensen, Shandon Baptiste, Mikkel Damsgaard, Keane Lewis-Potter, Nathan Collins, Yegor Yarmolyuk