Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma after his side secured a hard-fought win over Brentford. The 1-0 victory came courtesy of Haaland’s ninth-minute strike, while Donnarumma’s heroics between the posts ensured City maintained their narrow advantage until the final whistle.
Guardiola described the pair as “incredible,” emphasizing their importance to the team’s recent form. “I have an incredible striker and keeper,” he said, referring to Haaland’s consistency in front of goal and Donnarumma’s composure under pressure. The Norwegian striker has rediscovered his prolific form, scoring in nine consecutive matches, reminiscent of his record-breaking treble-winning season in 2022–23. Guardiola noted that Haaland has fully settled at the club, adding that he now feels a deep connection with the team and its ambitions.
The victory also marked a significant milestone for Guardiola, who achieved his 250th Premier League win faster than any other manager in history. He reached the feat in just 349 matches, surpassing Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger’s previous records. Reflecting on the achievement, Guardiola said he was honoured to be part of Premier League history and credited the club, players, and staff for their contributions to the team’s ongoing success.
However, the win came at a cost as midfielder Rodri suffered another hamstring issue. Guardiola expressed his concern about the Spaniard’s fitness, acknowledging the physical demands of the game and Rodri’s importance to City’s midfield stability. He explained that the club had attempted to manage Rodri’s minutes carefully, but injuries continue to be an unfortunate reality of the sport.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined City earlier this year, produced a crucial save to deny Brentford’s Igor Thiago in a one-on-one situation. Guardiola lauded the Italian goalkeeper’s maturity and vast experience despite his relatively young age. “He started playing at the highest level at 17. When they told me he’s only 26, I couldn’t believe it,” said Guardiola. “He plays with the calmness and presence of someone who has been around for centuries.”
Brentford manager Keith Andrews took positives from his team’s second-half performance, highlighting their resilience and improvement after a difficult opening period. Despite the defeat, he praised his players’ effort and insisted that the team is growing stronger as they adapt to recent changes within the club.
