By Erling Haaland continued his prolific scoring form with a brace for Manchester City against Brentford on Saturday, helping the defending champions overcome an early deficit to lead 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland’s double brings his tally to eight goals in the first four Premier League matches this season, equaling Wayne Rooney’s record set for Manchester United in the 2011-12 campaign. The Norwegian striker has now scored 98 goals in all competitions for Manchester City since joining the club last season.
City’s goalkeeper Ederson provided the assist for Haaland’s second goal with a long ball over the top, showcasing the versatility in City’s attacking play. Former England midfielder Fara Williams, commenting on the match, noted, “Haaland is just making the Premier League look so easy, and it’s not an easy league to play in.”
Meanwhile, at Anfield, Liverpool were struggling to break down a resilient Nottingham Forest side, with the match remaining goalless at halftime. Despite creating several chances, including a near-miss from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner, Liverpool found themselves frustrated by Forest’s aggressive play and solid defending.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was seen consulting a tablet on the sidelines, possibly reviewing tactical information as his team sought to unlock the Forest defense. Virgil van Dijk came close with a header from a corner, highlighting Liverpool’s aerial threat.
In other Premier League action, Fulham took an early 1-0 lead over West Ham United, with Raúl Jiménez continuing his impressive scoring record against the Hammers. The Mexican striker has now netted six times in 10 Premier League appearances against West Ham.
At the Amex Stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion were being held to a scoreless draw by Championship side Ipswich Town in FA Cup action. Despite creating several chances, including efforts from Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma, Brighton had yet to find a breakthrough against the resilient Ipswich defense.
As the matches progress, all eyes remain on Haaland’s pursuit of Premier League scoring records and Liverpool’s efforts to overcome Forest’s stubborn resistance. The day’s action continues to demonstrate the competitive nature of English football across all levels of competition.
