Manchester City are no strangers to shattering records under Pep Guardiola, but this was not one they had scripted.
Brentford, the last team to defeat City at the Etihad back in November 2022, stunned the reigning Premier League champions with the fastest goal ever scored against them. Just 23 seconds into the match, Yoane Wissa headed Brentford into the lead. City’s defense was in disarray—Kyle Walker failed to mark Keane Lewis-Potter at the back post, and John Stones fumbled a clearance from Ederson’s arms, gifting Brentford the early advantage. Unfortunately for City, the defensive mishaps didn’t end there.
Bryan Mbeumo nearly doubled Brentford’s lead, but Rico Lewis scrambled to block the shot, and Ederson pulled off two crucial saves to keep City from sinking further within the opening 20 minutes. Brentford could have easily been two or three goals up by that point. However, when you have a force like Erling Haaland, one chance is all it takes.
Despite a heavy heart—Haaland was grieving the recent loss of a close family friend—the Norwegian striker equalized for City. A loose ball from Kevin De Bruyne found its way to Haaland, and he calmly slotted it home. His celebration was subdued, but his impact was undeniable.
Just ten minutes later, City took the lead in dramatic fashion. Ederson launched a long ball upfield after spotting Haaland isolated with Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock. With perfect timing, Haaland brushed past Pinnock, raced towards goal, and delicately chipped the ball over goalkeeper Mark Flekken. It was a masterclass in finishing—one that took his tally to 99 goals in 103 games for City.
Haaland’s relentless form has made headlines, with some once again drawing attention to Manchester City’s ongoing Premier League charges. But with the way Haaland is playing, it’s likely he will soon surpass 115 goals for the club, leaving any off-field discussions in the dust. His performance in this match was a stark reminder that the Premier League has never seen a player quite like him.
The 24-year-old striker now boasts more goals (nine) from the first four matches than anyone else in Premier League history. His all-around game was on full display, terrifying the Brentford defense, and nearly sparking an immediate third goal with a powerful run right after City’s second.
While Haaland shone, not all of his teammates shared the same form. Walker and Stones, making their first starts of the season, struggled, and by halftime, Guardiola had seen enough. Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic were substituted as Guardiola adjusted to City’s shaky performance. Josko Gvardiol, introduced in the second half, made an instant impact down the left flank, providing Jack Grealish with the freedom to cut inside. Gvardiol’s powerful run from the center circle into Brentford’s box was exhilarating, even if it ended without a finish.
As the game progressed, Haaland came close to adding to his tally multiple times, hitting the post and forcing saves from the Brentford goalkeeper. A third hat-trick in the season just evaded him, but there was no doubting his influence on the match. In the dying moments, De Bruyne opted to take the ball to the corner flag rather than attempt to feed Haaland, drawing cheers from the City faithful.
Despite City’s overall performance being far from their best, it’s still early in the season. Key players like Phil Foden and Rodri are yet to start a game. Foden, the PFA Player of the Year, and Rodri, widely regarded as the best midfielder in the world, will undoubtedly have their moments to shine in the coming weeks. A grueling stretch of seven matches in 21 days, including a showdown with Arsenal, will give City plenty of opportunities to build momentum.
But for now, this day—and indeed the last year—belonged to Haaland. Whenever the next record falls, don’t be surprised to find the Norwegian superstar at the center of it.
