After a biblical downpour, the skies cleared, and Manchester City executed the game-plan: secure a win and three points to keep their breath on Arsenal’s neck.
The clincher arrived via Erling Haaland’s 26th Premier League goal - as with his side’s performance this was hardly pretty but no one in blue cared. Antoine Semenyo marauded down the right, his cross hit at least one Brentford body, the ball came to Haaland who, with a second stab at it, bundled home from close-range, the No 9 facing away from goal.
Pep Guardiola jumped into the arms of his assistant, Kolo Touré, and City could relax and tune into Arsenal’s trip on Sunday to West Ham praying the Irons do them a favour.
Erling Haaland is course to win the Premier League golden boot for third time in four seasons. Nobody has done that since Thierry Henry won three in a row in the mid-2000s.
