Haaland to the rescue for Man City in 1-0 Brentford win

It looked like City would be dropping points in a tight title race for the second time in four days following the weekend's 1-1 draw with Chelsea, only for Haaland to find some space behind Brentford's well-drilled defence in a counter-attack.

Julian Alvarez played the ball forward, Haaland collected it near the halfway line and burst beyond stumbling centre-back Kristoffer Ajer before firing low past goalkeeper Mark Flekken to notch his league-leading 17th goal of the campaign.

Of the 21 teams Haaland has faced since arriving in the Premier League last season, Brentford were the only one he'd failed to score against. Not anymore.

"If I had to choose one (player), I choose this one," City boss Pep Guardiola said of the Norwegian's match-winning moment.

"In this type of game like Brentford, you need Erling."

The narrow, nervy win moved the defending champions into second place in the standings, one point above Arsenal and one behind Liverpool with 13 games remaining.

"The way we defended the whole game was magnificent in terms of structure, defensive principles, urgency," Brentford boss Thomas Frank said.

"If (Ajer) doesn't slip I'm convinced it would not be a goal.

"Haaland is quick but Kristoffer is as quick. City are good so they don't need the margins going their way."

City extended their unbeaten run in all competitions since December 6 to 16 matches - with 14 wins and two draws.

Guardiola's team are also into the last 16 of the FA Cup and are well-placed to get into the Champions League quarter-finals after taking a 3-1 lead over FC Copenhagen in the first leg of the round of 16.

"The players, for years, have done incredible things," Guardiola said. "And they're still doing it."

City found it tough to break down Brentford's well-organised defence, with the hosts racking up 25 shots and Oscar Bobb - making his debut for the Sky Blues - having an effort cleared off the line in the first half.

Australian Associated Press