Erling Haaland finally got the breakthrough for Manchester City against Brentford, making personal history for himself in the process.
Brentford were the last Premier League side to keep Haaland from scoring against them – but that all changed on Tuesday night.
That is because the Norway international finally got the better of the Bees and has now scored against every Premier League side he has faced in just two years in the division.
It came after Kristoffer Ajer slipped, giving Haaland a clear path on goal and the ex-Borussia Dortmund frontman made no mistake to slot past the onrushing Mark Flekken.
It was the breakthrough City were desperate for after being held by Brentford for 71 minutes and Haaland’s goal moved City into second place in the table – just a point behind leaders Liverpool – as he emphatically responded to missing a host of chances in Saturday’s draw with Chelsea.
Haaland had toiled in front of goal but he lapped up this chance presented to him greedily to score his 22nd goal of the season.
After having a tough time against Chelsea on last weekend, the 23-year-old had been desperate to get back on the scoresheet.
That Chelsea setback came just days after Haaland’s grandmother died, and City manager Guardiola took the opportunity post-match to give his thoughts on recent critics.
“With top scorers or strikers who score a lot of goals, don’t criticise because he will shut your mouth, that’s for sure,” said Guardiola.
“Sooner or later, he is there.”
“Definitely, if I have to choose one [player to be running through on goal], I choose this one.”
“He was out with injury for two months and is not in his best shape and just had an incredibly tough week because he lost his grandmother. That is not easy for a human being.”
