Follow live coverage as Manchester City face Brentford today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning the champions look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
Pep Guardiola’s side have started with three wins from three, and if that’s not particularly noteworthy then the form of centre-forward Erling Haaland certainly is – he has already hit two hat-tricks, has seven to his name in total and will be keen to add to that tally against the Bees, who have conceded at least once in each of their matches so far.
As a team they’ve had a reasonable start though, swatting aside the loss of Ivan Toney to record two wins and a defeat – the latter coming on the road at Liverpool, meaning their first two away games are about the hardest they’ll face all season.
Follow all the live action below:
Manchester City vs Brentford
Almost instantly, City look to get another one as Grealish is played in clear on the left. However, he tries to square and Ajer sticks it over his own bar. With the corner, it drops to Savinho on the edge of the box and Collins blocks. Yet, he’s done so at the detriment of his crown jewels. Ouch.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Assist Ederson Santana de Moraes
Manchester City vs Brentford
With this performance so far, Brentford are going against a key trend of theirs. Since the start of last season, the Bees have lost more Premier League away games (13) than any side currently in the competition. They’ve also lost each of their last five away league games against sides that finished the previous season in the Premier League’s top four. Looking good so far…
Manchester City vs Brentford
Goal Erling Braut Haaland
Manchester City vs Brentford
Norgaard takes a quick throw to Mbeumo and he crosses from the right. It’s high, but Pinnock is there again and heads at Ederson’s goal before the Brazilian tips over. The resulting corner from the left comes to nothing, yet Brentford have got their footing again within this frenetic opening half an hour.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Brentford eventually build out from the pressure in their third and a counter results in a corner on the right. It comes in, Pinnock rises to beat Ederson – yet City contain the threat and clear.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Lewis on the left plays it in-field to De Bruyne. He pulls off a quick ball roll feint to get away from Wissa, before firing low and wide with his left-foot. That was extremely quick thinking there.
Manchester City vs Brentford
The ball has just been passed out by City and marks reprieve for Brentford. How quickly this game has changed… The Bees were camped deep in their own box just now, as the Cityzens played it from left to right, looking for that slight opening similar to their levelling goal. It’s all about patience it seems.
Manchester City vs Brentford
City’s tails are up now. Brentford still try and play calm and considered, possession-based football, yet De Bruyne and co. press high. Flekken has just been rushed as the Belgian nearly tackled the Dutchman on his goal line! He just survived there.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Haaland has now scored in his last four games in the competition (eight goals in total), his longest streak since a run of six games from 3rd May 2023 to 4th March 2023.
