Premier League Matchweek 7: Haaland and Foden rally Manchester City past Brentford to make it seven straight wins
Pep Guardiola's reigning champions stay perfect with 21 points while Liverpool edge Crystal Palace 1-0.
Why this one matters
Seven matches played, seven victories secured. Manchester City’s relentless pursuit of Premier League perfection continued on Saturday afternoon in West London, but not without enduring one of their sternest tactical examinations of the campaign.
Facing a determined Brentford side at Gtech Community Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s squad found themselves trailing after just 19 minutes when Bryan Mbeumo caught City’s high defensive line on the counter. The Cameroonian forward finished coolly past Ederson, handing the Bees a shock lead and threatening to blow the title race wide open.
City’s response demonstrated why they have dominated English football. In the 34th minute, Kevin De Bruyne curled a sublime delivery into the penalty box, where Erling Haaland rose above two defenders to head home his 11th goal in seven matches. The equalizer restored composure, and in the 68th minute, Phil Foden collected an incisive pass from Bernardo Silva, shifted onto his left foot, and arrowed a low drive into the bottom corner.
The title race landscape
The hard-fought 2-1 victory moves Manchester City to 21 points, maintaining their three-point cushion at the summit of the table. Across London, second-placed Arsenal also took maximum points, coming from behind to defeat Southampton 3-1 at Emirates Stadium courtesy of second-half strikes from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka.
Meanwhile, Arne Slot’s Liverpool solidified third place with a disciplined 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Diogo Jota turned in Cody Gakpo’s low cross in the ninth minute, giving the Reds their fifth victory of the season despite goalkeeper Alisson Becker leaving late with a muscular discomfort.
With City, Arsenal, and Liverpool all taking maximum points on Saturday, the upper tier of English football remains locked in an unforgiving high-wire act where a single dropped point carries season-defining consequences.
Sources
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