Erling Haaland lands new Man City milestone with only Liverpool left on his hitlist

Erling Haaland is in such incredible form that he seems to reach a new milestone every week.

This time, Haaland made it nine goals in seven Premier League games this season which makes a total of 18 in 11 for club and country. It is also the longest goalscoring streak of his career as he has now scored in each of his last nine games.

No wonder Haaland milked it at the end by going over to the away end to give his shirt away to a fan who then gave him a big kiss! It was brilliant. Haaland's winner at Brentford also means he has scored in 22 of the 23 Premier League stadiums he has played in with Anfield being the exception to the rule.

READ MORE: Erling Haaland gives brilliant one-word verdict on Estevao after Chelsea vs Liverpool heroics

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola sends invite to Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger after smashing record

But what looks just as daunting is Haaland’s strength, determination and eye for goal because he is right back to his very best and is bullying the life out of opposing defences.

Brentford just could not handle Haaland and in this sort of mood you really feel as if they can step up and challenge for the title again.

In the first half, it was so one-sided that it felt as if City were just toying with Brentford as they played some beautiful stuff and should have scored more goals from the chances they created.

In fairness, Brentford fought back and showed heart in the second half but, after Haaland’s midweek strop when City twice threw away a lead in Monaco, they held firm this time.

And the City win delivered another record for Pep Guardiola who registered his 250th Premier League win from just 349 games. It took him a whopping 74 fewer than Arsene Wenger who was the next fastest.

Guardiola has been one of the best things to ever happen to English football with his style, tactical innovations and incredible track record of winning trophies.

But you do have to wonder whether even a genius like Guardiola can mastermind another title success without one of the best players in the world.

No-one can doubt Haaland’s importance to the team but Rodri is arguably just as vital when you consider they won nothing last season without him.

Thirteen months on from when Rodri suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury, the City midfielder just cannot get - and stay - fit on a consistent basis. He has managed just 15 appearances since the end of the 2023/24 season.

This time, Rodri lasted just 22 minutes before limping off with a hamstring injury. Overcoming the knee injury is one thing, getting match fit is quite another.

They just do not look as solid without him anchoring the midfield and you would need a heart of stone to not feel sympathy for the 2024 Ballon D’Or winner.

City did it without him and their task was made easier as Brentford were so passive in the first half compared to their rampaging win over Manchester United last week.

READ MORE: Wayne Rooney makes new Michael Owen comment as 'better player' debate rages

READ MORE: Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool next five games as Premier League title race takes new twist

City’s winner came after just nine minutes as Josko Gvardiol hit a long ball forward, Haaland was far too strong for Sepp van den Berg and also shrugged off Nathan Collins before smashing the ball past keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Incredibly, that was the first time a City player other than Phil Foden had scored at Brentford’s Gtech Stadium. Foden had plundered all City’s six goals across three games at Brentford and finally that odd stat was broken.

Foden should have got a seventh but missed from close range while Tijjani Reijnders saw a sensational volley brilliantly saved by Kelleher.

But when you do not take your chances, 1-0 becomes nervous even for the best of teams. Brentford applied pressure without really looking as if they would score. And City deserved it for the first half alone.