MAN CITY 1, BRENTFORD 0
An unfortunate slip by Brentford centre back Kristoffer Ajer handed Manchester City a massive lift to their bid for a record-breaking fourth successive Premier League title.
The Norwegian could not have picked a worse moment with his international team-mate Erling Haaland bearing down on the Bees’ goal as he raced onto Julian Alvarez’ through ball.
Haaland was left with a clean run on goal, and he made no mistake with his 22nd goal of the season as City won their game in hand to move within one point of leaders Liverpool.
City’s striker had failed to score in six of his previous seven appearances, but picked a perfect time to get back in a scoring groove as his side looked to be letting further points slip away.
Pep Guardiola’s side ought to have won by a wider margin, though they were far from their best.
They had 25 goal attempts with 11 on target but found Dutch keeper Mark Flekken in fine form as the Bees, with nine defeats in their last 11 league games, played without fear and did not look a side struggling for form and in the lower reaches of the table.
Guardiola praised Haaland, saying: “It has been an incredibly tough week as he lost his grandmother. He is not in the best of shape at the moment.
“In this type of game, we need Erling as we couldn’t use Kevin [De Bruyne] because of a niggle in his hamstring.”
Guardiola also admonished journalists for recently criticising Haaland adding sooner rather than later he will return to form.
Embed from Getty Images“If someone doubts Erling then he will do his job. You make a mistake. He’s an incredible player,” he said.
City’s manager added the Bees made life hard for his team.
He said: “They’re such a difficult team. Last season we lost six points [against Brentford]. They have the ability with Ivan Toney – he’s a master player, a really good player. Other than that, they’re really good at free-kicks, throw-ins and so on.
“We had a lot of chances considering how difficult it is to play against them, and we’ve won our game in hand. The performance was really good, once again, and I’m happy for the result.
“I think we had less chances in the second half than in the first. We struggled a little bit in the second half.”
“The players, for years, have done incredible things, and they’re still doing it.”
Brentford manager Thomas Frank thought his side were unlucky.
“The goal was an unlucky situation. If Kristoffer had not slipped, I am convinced it would not have been a goal,” he said.
“Erling is quick, but Kristoffe is quicker.”
Frank continued: “I thought throughout the game we were brilliant, and I am very proud and pleased with our performance. It gives me a lot of belief going forward.
“The way we defended in the whole game was magnificent and limited City to two big chances. I was pleased with a lot of things.”
Guardiola made three changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday.
De Bruyne joined Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku on the bench. In came John Stones, Bernardo Silva and 20-year-old winger Oscar Bobb.
Frank also made three alterations to the team beaten 4-1 by Liverpool.
Yoane Wissa started for the first time since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations while Mathias Jorgensen and Frank Onyeka were also recalled.
Neal Maupay, Nathan Collins and Mathias Jensen dropped to the bench.
City had plenty of early possession without creating anything of note, though Phil Foden had a shot blocked, and another effort easily saved by Flekken.
The Bees had arguably the best early opening on the break, but Onyeka could only shoot weakly at Ederson when through on goal.
Toney also went close from a free kick which dipped just over the bar.
City missed a glorious chance when Silva headed wide with the goal at his mercy after Kyle Walker headed a Rodri diagonal pass across the face of goal.
They began to ramp up the pressure in the final 10 minutes of the half as Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias twice were brilliantly denied by Flekken while Bobb’s goalbound effort was well cleared off the line by Ben Mee.
The Bees also had their moments as a header from Onyeka forced a diving save from Ederson.
City, despite having 17 first half goal attempts and 69 per cent possession, rarely threatened to find the net.
It was a similar story from the restart and that forced Guardiola into a change just after the hour as Bobb was replaced by Doku.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 71st minute as Haaland seized on Ajer’s slip.
Haaland found the net for a second time nine minutes later only for the effort to be ruled out as Walker had strayed offside while providing the assist.
City made a second change in the 89th minute as Alvarez was withdrawn with Mateo Kovacic taking his place.
Foden had two great chances at the death to seal victory, but each time Flekken pulled off super stop to keep the Bees in the game.