Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has joked that he was “so grumpy” at Erling Haaland’s failure to score a third consecutive Premier League hat-trick in his side’s comeback win at home to Brentford.
Premier League top scorer Haaland took his tally for the season to nine in four games with two goals in 14 first-half minutes, playing despite the death of a close family friend days beforehand.
“It was a tough week for him – we tried to help him yesterday,” Guardiola told BBC Sport. “Sometimes the best way to forget things is to do your best at your job and he has done it again.”
Four wins from four in the @premierleague as @ErlingHaaland continues his amazing scoring form! 💪
Highlights 👇 pic.twitter.com/T7eN5asIC5
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 14, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
Haaland hat-tricks
Haaland could not have come any closer to becoming the first player to score three hat-tricks in a row in the English top flight since 1946.
The 24-year-old was unable to capitalise on the rebound after hitting a post with a shot, as well as having an effort tipped over the crossbar by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Man City vs Brentford: Bees ‘difficult’
Guardiola had effusive praise for the Bees, who beat City at Etihad Stadium with a 90th-minute Ivan Toney winner in November 2022.
Yoane Wissa gave them the lead on this occasion, scoring inside the first minute for the fastest goal of the Premier League season.
9⃣9⃣ goals
1⃣0⃣3⃣ appearances pic.twitter.com/T3mdlm4K2t— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 14, 2024
“I don’t remember a team, in eight or nine years, playing the way they did in the first 23 minutes,” said Guardiola, calling himself a “big fan” of counterpart Thomas Frank.
“It’s difficult to concede after one minute against that team. We struggled to read where to press better. We were lucky to get the goal and in the second half we deserved to win. We need to feel how difficult the Premier League is in every game. I give a lot of credit to my players.”
Man City ‘nervous’
The Spaniard added that England defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker are working their way back to full fitness after helping England reach the final of Uefa Euro 2024 in July.
“We need minutes for John and Kyle,” said Guardiola. “The first half was a little bit nervous, after the goal and everything, but the second was better.”
