Manchester City may have secured another Premier League victory against Brentford, but it was anything but straightforward, with Erling Haaland once again proving the difference-maker.
Pep Guardiola openly admitted that his side were “lucky” to come away with a 2-1 win, crediting Brentford for causing City more problems in the first half than any other team has during his nine-year tenure. City fell behind just 23 seconds into the game after Yoane Wissa scored, and Brentford could have easily added two or three more goals within the first 15 minutes as they repeatedly tore through the City defense.
The tide shifted when Haaland capitalized on a deflected ball in the box, leveling the score. Moments later, he seized on a mistake by Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock to put City ahead. From that point, City held firm, but Guardiola was quick to highlight just how difficult the challenge had been, reinforcing lessons he’s been trying to impart to his squad.
“I don’t remember in eight or nine years a team causing us as many problems as Brentford did in those first 20 minutes,” Guardiola confessed. “Credit to them. We were far from our best. They could have easily been 2-0 or 3-0 up, and it wouldn’t have been undeserved.”
He went on to praise Brentford’s tactical approach, describing their ability to disrupt City’s rhythm with long balls, duels, quick transitions, and set pieces. “Every time they had the ball, they created a chance. I don’t remember a team breaking us down like that. They were extraordinary.”
Guardiola also singled out Brentford manager Thomas Frank for praise, predicting that a top club will soon come calling for his services. Despite the difficulties, Guardiola emphasized how important it was for his players to grind out the win, describing it as a valuable experience in light of his ongoing warnings about complacency.
“It’s so important to win these kinds of games,” he explained. “I’ve been telling them, ‘Be careful,’ and today they felt it. The staff even said, ‘Oh my God, how we suffered today.’ That’s why the Premier League is so hard to win—just look at this weekend’s results.”
Brentford’s manager, Thomas Frank, echoed Guardiola’s assessment, expressing pride in his team’s dominant opening. “In the first 25 minutes, if City are the best team, then we were world-class,” Frank remarked.
“We were not only tight and aggressive but the better team in that period. We did something only Liverpool and Arsenal have managed—we had more possession, more shots on target, and a higher xG. I’m 50-50 on it: frustrated we didn’t get anything from the game but also incredibly proud of how we played against Man City.”
