'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester City beat Brentford 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, September 14. They became the only team in the league to have won all four of their games this season.
The Cityzens were stunned by an early goal by the visitors. Some sloppy defending at the back coupled with sharp awareness led to Yoane Wissa opening the scoring in the first minute of the game. Post the opener, the Bees were just not done yet. They kept harrying forward and had the hosts struggling to find any grip over the game.
Kevin de Bruyne then turned the screws as he turned provider and allowed Erling Haaland (19') to equalize following some great work to put the final touch. The Norwegian striker scored yet again to take the lead in the 32nd minute, this time found by a long kick from Ederson.
The second half panned out on similar lines as both sides kept going at it. Brentford were quite dangerous on their counters and Manchester City resorted to holding more and more possession to deny the visitors. Despite multiple chances on both ends, the scoreline remained unimpacted in the second half and Manchester City bagged all three points.
On that note, let's take a look at the player ratings for Manchester City.
Manchester City Player Ratings
Ederson - 8/10
Ederson had a solid game at the back as he made five saves to deny Brentford. He even set up Haaland's second of the game with a long ranger.
Kyle Walker - 6/10
Kyle Walker was inconsistent throughout the game. He looked lost on numerous occasions but was helped by his pace as he made recoveries on most of the instances.
John Stones - 5/10
John Stones had a game to forget. Made some simple defensive errors, one of which allowed Wissa to put one past Ederson.
Manuel Akanji - 6.5/10
Manuel Akanji was Manchester City's best defender of the game as he kept his composure at the back. The Swiss international kept it neat and positioned himself to deal with all the attacks that came down his way.
Mateo Kovacic - 6.5/10
Mateo Kovacic had his moments but picked up majorly after a sheepish start to the game as he looked to use the width and stretch out play. Tried to take hold of business in the center.
Rico Lewis - 5.5/10
Rico Lewis looked uncomfortable in the double pivot and could not provide much to the game. Was taken off in the 46th minute of the game.
Savinho - 7/10
Savinho was his usual self as he tried to make things happen on his own and came close to scoring. He even made a great run down the line but could not provide the finishing touches to end it on a high.
Kevin de Bruyne - 7/10
Kevin de Bruyne did not have the best of games but was still Manchester City's best midfielder. He was often crowded out and hence found it hard to chase openings and spaces behind the defenders. De Bruyne did well to recover the ball which eventually led to Haaland's opener.
Ilkay Gundogan - 7/10
Much like his counterparts, Ilkay Gundogan too had a sluggish start and took his own time to get into the groove. It was a routine performance by the German and did not produce anything extraordinary.
Jack Grealish - 6/10
Jack Grealish could not put his fine form to use as he struggled for open spaces and produce the final product.
Erling Haaland - 9/10
Erling Haaland saved the day for Manchester City as he bagged a brace. He was highly clinical upfront and used his physicality to his advantage to bully the opposition defenders. Haaland came close to bagging a hat-trick but was denied by the woodwork.
Substitues
Josko Gvardiol - 7/10
Josko Gvardiol provided much-needed stability at the back post his introduction.
Rodri - 7/10
Rodri seemed fine-tuned on his return from injury and linked up well in the center as he held the tempo of the game.
Ruben Dias - N/A
Did not have much to do during his stay.
Bernardo Silva - N/A
Came on too late to earn a rating.
Matheus Nunes - N/A
Did not have much impact on the game.
