At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City’s lone goal against Brentford pulled the home team to within one point of the Premier League lead.

Following the weekend’s disappointing draw with Chelsea, there was pressure on City to prove themselves against a formidable Brentford team. A team that, only two weeks before, Phil Foden had single-handedly destro

yed.

The match started with Man City doing exactly what Man City do, and that is by holding possession and taking control of the game. That was until Brentford had the first big chance of the game within 20 minutes. Frank Onyeka’s tame shot was no challenge for Ederson, after a great pass from Yoane Wissa found the feet of the midfielder.

Ivan Toney had an attempt of his own after his free kick just went over the bar. City chances were no major threat as Alvarez had a few blunders over the bar, as well as Akanji causing a bit of work for Flakken.

Oscar Bobb had City’s first major chance as his shot beat Flekken, but the former Manchester City player, Ben Mee, was on the line for a crucial goal-line clearance to deny the champions a first-half lead.

Going into the second half, all of the hard work Brentford had done to prevent City from scoring eventually came to an end. Haaland picked up the ball from an Alvarez pass just inside the opponent’s half and carried the ball all the way to the edge of the box, where the Norwegian striker was able to slot the ball easily into the back of the net, a goal that no one doubted.

Manchester City could have doubled their lead after an excellent delivery by Rodri found Kyle Walker on the right flank. The right-back calmly placed the ball for an easy header for Haaland but was immediately ruled out for offside.

City’s final major chance came from Foden; after a beautiful turn past his man left the academy graduate with a chance to get a goal of his own. Foden tried to take the ball around the goalkeeper, but Flekken was too big and made the save.

With that being said, here are five things that we learned from Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Brentford!

Oscar Bobb’s first Premier League start for the Cityzens

The 20 year old picked up his first start for the champions in a tight knit game. The Norwegian winger almost grabbed himself the game winner after his shot beat Flekken but was cleared off the line by Ben Mee.

Bobb was lacking that cutting edge but City fans know what he is capable, after scoring the winning goal against Newcastle in the dying seconds, just a few weeks ago. The attacker has a bright future ahead of him.

Counter attacks galore

City’s winner came from a counter attack on a Brentford error, but it does come as a shock as to how the game only had the singular goal. The likes of Haaland, Alvarez, Foden and Silva were extremely rapid to turn and break against the visitors but only managed to net te one.

Brentford’s trio of Toney, Wissa and Onyeka were also extremely dangerous on the counter and did not give the City defence any time to rest. All three players came extremely close to scoring yet, fortunately, the didn’t.

Haaland finally ticks off Brentford

It has only taken him one and a half seasons, but the robot has finally scored against every Premier League side that he has faced. It was a strike that everyone knew that he would slot away to score his 17th Premier League goal.

A great pass, on the break, from Alvarez found Haaland in a golden opportunity to go one v one with Flekken. Haaland struck the ball into the bottom corner to give the home side a well fought for victory.

Alvarez has started every Premier League game this season

Picking up the assist for the goal today, Alvarez continues to show fans as well as Guardiola, why he should be in the starting line up. Guardiola playing the Argentine as deep as what he has been, was shown to not be very significant, but with Alvarez returning to playing just behind the number 9, proved to be a much better run of play.

Scoring 8 goals as well as 7 assists so far in the Premier League, it does not look as if he is going to get dropped from the side any time soon. Not to mention his 7.6 average rating, being one of the best in the side.

Title hopes remain strong

The 1-0 win against Brentford sees the Blues go just one point behind current league leaders, Liverpool. As well as Arsenal, staying steady on City’s toes as they only trail one point behind.

City play, both, Arsenal and Liverpool in March in what will be must in games! City also play Manchester United as they look to win their fourth consecutive Premier League trophy in a row.