Brentford 0-1 Manchester City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral's post-match review of Brentford 0-1 Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, 05 October 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Manchester City secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, a result that aligns well with their recent form. The topmost result in Brentford's recent results is this loss, which follows a win against Manchester United and a loss to Fulham, showing a mixed bag of performances. For Manchester City, this win extends their unbeaten run, having previously beaten Burnley and drawn with Arsenal. The result wasn't particularly surprising given City's dominance in possession and their ability to capitalise on key moments, as seen with Erling Haaland's early goal.

Brentford put up a spirited fight but struggled to break down City's solid defense. Despite their efforts, they couldn't find an equaliser, which might be a concern given their position in the league. Manchester City, on the other hand, controlled the game from start to finish, showcasing their quality and depth. Haaland's goal in the 9th minute proved to be the decisive moment, underlining his importance to the team and their title aspirations.

The statistics from the match reflect Manchester City's dominance, with 70% possession compared to Brentford's 30%. City's control of the ball was evident throughout the game, and their higher successful dribble percentage (50% vs Brentford's 22%) further highlights their superior play. Despite having fewer corners (2 vs Brentford's 3), City managed to convert their opportunities more effectively, which is crucial in tight games like this one.

The yellow card count was slightly higher for Brentford (3 vs City's 2), indicating perhaps a bit more desperation or frustration on their part. The number of substitutions also differed, with Brentford making five changes compared to City's three, suggesting a more active attempt to change the game's dynamics. Overall, the stats align well with the result, showcasing Manchester City's control and Brentford's struggle to keep up.

The key moment of the match came early when Erling Haaland scored for Manchester City in the 9th minute. This early goal set the tone for the game, putting Brentford on the back foot and forcing them to chase the game. Haaland's strike was a testament to City's ability to capitalise on their opportunities, even when they were few and far between.

Throughout the match, Brentford tried to respond but couldn't find a way past City's defence. The lack of key moments from Brentford's side in the provided data suggests they struggled to create meaningful chances. Manchester City's early goal and subsequent control of the game were the defining factors in securing their victory.

Brentford lined up in a 5-3-2 formation, with Caoimhín Kelleher in goal and a back five of Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Ajer, Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, and Aaron Hickey. The midfield trio of Yegor Yarmolyuk, Jordan Henderson, and Mikkel Damsgaard worked hard to try and break down City's defence, while Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade led the line up front.

The lineup didn't feature any major surprises, but the five substitutions made by Brentford suggest an attempt to change the game's momentum. Despite their efforts, no standout performances emerged from the Brentford side, as they struggled to create significant scoring opportunities against a well-organised Manchester City defence.

Manchester City deployed a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Gianluigi Donnarumma between the posts and a back four of Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Nico O'Reilly. Rodri anchored the midfield, while Oscar Bobb, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, and Savinho provided support to the lone striker, Erling Haaland.

The lineup was as expected, with no major surprises. Haaland's early goal was the standout moment, and his performance justified his selection up front. The three substitutions made by City were likely tactical adjustments to maintain control and see out the game, which they did successfully.

Erling Haaland is Coral's Man of the Match, and his performance was pivotal in securing the victory for Manchester City. Scoring the only goal of the game in the 9th minute, Haaland demonstrated his clinical finishing and importance to the team. Despite not registering any assists or creating big chances, his goal was enough to make the difference and earn him this accolade.

Recent Premier League matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Manchester City (H)

• Win: 3-1 vs Manchester United (H)

• Loss: 1-3 vs Fulham (A)

• Draw: 2-2 vs Chelsea (H)

Recent Premier League matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Brentford (A)

• Win: 5-1 vs Burnley (H)

• Draw: 1-1 vs Arsenal (A)

Sitting in 16th place with 7 points, Brentford will face West Ham United, who are in 19th with 4 points, on October 20, 2025 at 20:00. This result against Manchester City might prompt Brentford to focus on tightening their defence and being more clinical in front of goal, especially against a struggling West Ham side.

With 13 points, Manchester City are in 5th place and will take on Everton, who are in 8th with 11 points, on October 18, 2025 at 15:00. This win against Brentford should boost their confidence as they look to continue their unbeaten run and climb the league table against a competitive Everton team.

Coral brings you the most exciting offers to enhance your experience.

For the best Premier League outright predictions, explore our guide.

Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.