HAALAND KEEPS COOL TO FIRE CITY TO NARROW WIN OVER BRENTFORD

Erling Holland finally stung the bees as his second-half finish helped us beat Brentford 1-0 in a welcome win at the Etihad.

Before tonight, Holland had scored against 20 of the 21 Premier League teams he had faced.

He added Thomas Frank's men to his now full roster and earned us a valuable three points.

The win, which did not come easy against the determined and determined visitors, moved us up to second in the Premier League table, a solitary point behind leaders Liverpool.

WHAT HAPPENED

City starts as they always do – probing and pressing for an opener.

Passing was accurate and precise as they stung the opening gates of bees.

But Brentford grew into the game as the first half developed and had good chances.

The dangerous Une Wesa was replaced on 11 minutes by Ivan Toni, last season's match-winner.

But for John Stones' ability and agility to avert the danger with an impressive interception, the Congolese international would only have been there to beat Ederson.

Wessa, full of running for the opposition, then played in Frank Onyka on 16 minutes but thankfully his final shot was comfortably saved between the sticks by our trusty number 31. He walked over to Tony's dismay who was hiding purposefully at the back post.

Then, on 19 minutes, Toni himself fired a 25-yard free kick over Brazil's crossbar.

But it ended up being the first half of a two-parter – the bees were buzzing in those early stages and City was coming roaring back with its own wave of opportunities.

On 26 minutes, Julian Alvarez shot high and beautifully over the bar on the turn fly after Christopher Ajer's header fell to him.

The World Cup winner injured his right foot two minutes later but his delicious drive went just wide as he turned away in frustration.

There were then four glorious chances for the boys in blue in four minutes as City clicked through the gears.

Bernardo went close on 34 minutes after a brilliant move.

Rodrigo flicked the ball down the right to Kyle Walker who flicked it into the Portuguese's path but the marauding midfielder headed wide as the crowd waited to roar.

Manuel Akanji, not known for his goal-scoring prowess, was followed by a superb curling effort from Mark Flicken toward the goal.

The 30-year-old Dutchman was at it again moments later when he got down keenly to clear a Ruben Dias header.

The best chance of the half, though, fell to Oscar Bob, who made his Premier League debut.

The 20-year-old burst into the box, claimed a shot, waited, and then somehow had his final strike parried away by fellow academy graduate Ben Mee.

What a moment that would have been for Norway in this milestone game

City continued to push as the half wore on, Dias again having a shot well kept out by a busy Flicken on 43 minutes.

The second half started as the first half ended – City attacking with intent and Brentford fighting determinedly to keep them out.

Pep Guardiola's men were certainly not short of effort and effort but Thomas Frank's Bees showed fighting qualities in the toughest of spots.

Cries of 'Come on City' echoed around the stadium and the players looked for encouragement as the hour mark approached and Guardiola played the conductor of the Etihad orchestra, killing the supporters.

He fired up the ground when needed and after a lot of scrambling in search of a crucial goal, Erling Holland finally broke the deadlock on 71 minutes, finishing smartly after a clever through ball from Alvarez.

Our star striker put the ball in the net again on 81 minutes, slotting home after Walker's cut-back but the sight of the official's flag ended the celebrations before they could begin.

As the clock ticked down to full-time, thankfully it was City who were on the offensive in search of a second, Phil Foden letting fly with a cracking effort that was acrobatically finished by Flecken on 88 minutes.

The playmaker went even closer in the first six minutes of added time, racing past the Brentford keeper before seeing his goalbound shot.

The final whistle, when it finally came, was greeted with jubilation but relief was certainly the dominant emotion after a tough United match.

TEAMS

CITY XI: Ederson, Walker (C) Stones, Dias, Akanji, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Foden, Alvarez (Kovacic 89’), Bobb (Doku 61’), Haaland

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Ake, De Bruyne, Gomez, Nunes, Lewis

BRENTFORD XI: Flekken, Onyeka (Damsgaard 89’), Ajer, Mee, Roerslev (Ghoddos 89’), Jorgensen, Norgaard, Janelt (Jensen 77’), Reguilon (Lewis-Potter 78’), Toney, Wissa (Maupay 68’)

Subs: Strakosha, Collins, Baptiste, Yarmoliuk

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: MANUEL AKANJI

Manuel Akanji showed his versatility in the victory against Brentford.

The 28-year-old is a centerpiece by trade but, as we all know, he has starred in midfield at times this season, usurping the role John Stones filled with ease in our treble-winning season. was done by

Stones has had his own injury problems this term which has seen the former Borussia Dortmund man shine as a central cog in the City wheel.

But tonight, he switched positions once again, starring on the left in a backline shutout against the busy Bees.

GUARDIOLA REACTION

We defended really well.

“We spoke about situations with free kicks and corners, and if we defend well, we have to celebrate like a goal because they are such an incredible threat in every department.

“I never see a team play and create so many dangerous situations like Brentford in my life. I never saw a team like them.

“Every corner and free-kick is a nightmare. The guys - the back four and Erling, Rodri, the smarts of Bernardo help us a lot to defend these types of situations.”

BOBB REACTION

On the result: “We were up against a very good team and we had some good chances that usually we would score. It was a tough opponent.”

On Erling Haaland: “He’s the best in the world. He’s only three years older than me but it’s crazy to play with one of the greats.”

On his first Premier League start: “It was great. Another step and I’m very happy with the win.”

AKANJI REACTION

“It wasn’t easy today. Brentford defended really well.

“We tried to attack from the first minute until the last.

“We scored the goal on a counter-attack. Brentford had a good opportunity but we got the ball and went on the counter, the defender slipped, Erling went through on goal and the efficiency was there, he scored a great goal.

“We know how hard it is to play against Brentford. They defend really well, play a lot of long balls, and are great at set-pieces.

“So we knew it wouldn’t be easy playing against the back five.

“We did pretty well today. I can’t remember any big chances they had. We did well defensively and offensively we stayed patient and waited till we scored.”

WHAT IT MEANS

Victory against Brentford this evening moves us up one place in the Premier League table.

We started the day in third place but now we have leapfrogged Arsenal.