Manchester City secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brentford, with Erling Haaland scoring the decisive goal. The win helped City close the gap with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League to just one point.
Haaland, who had faced criticism for his recent goal drought, responded emphatically by finding the back of the net against Brentford. Despite missing chances in previous matches, the Norwegian striker showcased his quality with his 22nd goal of the season.
City manager Pep Guardiola praised Haaland's performance, stating that top strikers like him have the ability to silence their critics. Guardiola also acknowledged the challenges Haaland has faced, including the recent loss of his grandmother, highlighting the striker's resilience and importance to the team.
While City dominated in terms of shots against both Chelsea and Brentford, they struggled to convert their chances into goals. Against Brentford, it was a defensive error that allowed Haaland to capitalize and secure the victory for City.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank commended his team's performance, expressing pride in their belief and effort on the pitch. He noted that the outcome could have been different if not for the crucial slip that led to Haaland's goal.
Guardiola provided an update on Kevin De Bruyne, revealing that the midfielder was sidelined due to discomfort in his hamstring. De Bruyne, who recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff, was not risked for the match against Brentford as a precautionary measure.
Overall, City's victory over Brentford showcased their resilience and ability to grind out results, with Haaland's goal proving to be the difference in a closely contested match.
