AFCON 2025
Manchester City edged Brentford 1-0 thanks to Erling Haaland’s early strike, created from a long ball by Joško Gvardiol.
Haaland outmuscled Sepp van den Berg before finishing past Caoimhin Kelleher at the near post.
— Trend (@Trend5319381) October 5, 2025
The champions started brightly, though their momentum dipped when Rodri was forced off with another injury midway through the first half.
City threatened a second through Tijjani Reijnders, only to be denied by a superb one-handed save from Kelleher.
Brentford offered little before half-time, but after the restart, Igor Thiago squandered a golden chance, his heavy touch allowing Gianluigi Donnarumma to smother the danger.
The Bees applied sustained pressure late on, with Michael Kayode heading over from a promising position, while City struggled to reassert control.
However, Guardiola’s side held firm, avoiding another slip from a narrow lead to close within three points of the Premier League summit. Brentford remain outside the relegation zone heading into the break.
