Erling Haaland Punishes Kristoffer Ajer Slip As Man City Beat Brentford
Erling Haaland scored his 17th Premier League goal of the season as Manchester City beat Brentford 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
City were frustrated for more than 70 minutes – during which time Brentford looked dangerous on the counter-attack – before Haaland made the breakthrough with a clinical finish.
Haaland capitalized on a slip by Kristoffer Ajer as he dribbled with the ball from near the halfway line before drilling a low shot past keeper Mark Flekken.
Flekken – who made eight saves in total – was beaten by Haaland again in the 80th minute but City were denied a second goal because Kyle Walker had been marginally offside in the build-up.
One goal was ultimately enough for Pep Guardiola’s men as City kept a clean sheet for only the second time in six games.
Haaland makes Brentford his 21st EPL victim
Haaland had come up against Brentford twice before Tuesday without scoring.
But the 23-year-old has now found the net at least once against all 21 teams he has faced in his Premier League career.
Tuesday’s result took City above Arsenal in the EPL table.
City now sit second, just one point behind leaders Liverpool with 13 rounds of fixtures remaining.The night was full of encouragement for Brentford in Manchester – until they were undone by a slip and the most clinical of predators.
The Bees had held off Manchester City for long spells of this nervy clash at the Etihad – until Kristoffer Ajer lost his way with 20 minutes remaining.
Erling Haaland does not pass up golden chances when through on goal, and the powerful Norwegian has now netted against every Premier League opponent as City claimed three vital points in the latest episode towards an ultra-competitive league conclusion. Pep Guardiola’s side now sit second and one point behind Liverpool.
It was rough luck for Thomas Frank’s visitors who had acquitted themselves well. But there was to be no repeat of previous winning feats in the east side of Manchester. The Bees were determined not to be cruelly exposed again as they were against Liverpool and indeed against City, who beat them 3-1 just 15 days ago in this rearranged fixture.
