Manchester City may not have dazzled, but they did just enough to grind out a 1–0 win away at Brentford in Sunday’s 2025–26 Premier League action — thanks once again to Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian goal machine proved decisive in the ninth minute, muscling his way past the Bees’ defence and slotting the ball past the goalkeeper from close range. It was Haaland’s only clear chance of the match, but it was all City needed to take all three points.

While the performance left plenty to be desired, Pep Guardiola’s side have now won three of their last four league matches and quietly climbed into fifth place in the table, staying in touch with the title race.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Brentford - Manchester City 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Håland E., 9 (0:1)

Brentford: Kelleher; Hickey; van den Berg S.; Ajer (Carvalho Fa., 90); Collins N.; Kayode M.; Henderson (Janelt, 74); Yarmoliuk (Onyeka, 73); Damsgaard M. (Jensen Ma., 68); Schade; Thiago I. (Ouattara Da., 67)
Substitution: Ouattara Da. (from 67); Jensen Ma. (from 68); Onyeka (from 73); Janelt (from 74); Carvalho Fa. (from 90)
Bench: Valdimarsson H.R,; Henry R.; Pinnock; Lewis-Potter
Yellow Cards: Schade 45; Henderson 70; Ouattara Da. 84

Manchester City: Donnarumma G.; Dias R.; Gvardiol; Reijnders (Bernardo Silva, 76); Rodri (Nico González, 22); Matheus Nunes; Foden; Sávio Moreira; O'Reilly; Bobb (Doku J., 76); Håland E.
Substitution: Nico González (from 22); Bernardo Silva (from 76); Doku J. (from 76)
Bench: Trafford; Stones; Ake; Lewis R.; Kovacic M.; Cherki
Yellow Cards: Matheus Nunes 77; O'Reilly 83