Erling Haaland scored two goals as Manchester City beat Brentford 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday.
City took full advantage of Liverpool’s defeat to move clear at the top by stretching their 100 per cent record to four games despite a disastrous start.
John Stones was recalled by City manager Pep Guardiola for his first club start of the season but the England international’s poor clearance teed up Yoane Wissa to open the scoring after just 22 seconds at the Etihad.
However, Haaland’s form at the start of the season remains unstoppable, even if the Norwegian just missed out on a record third consecutive hat-trick in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old striker’s powerful deflected effort brought City level before he showed a combination of strength and skill to shrug off Ethan Pinnock and dink the ball over the onrushing Mark Flekken.
Only the post denied Haaland another hat-trick after half-time but he now has nine goals in four games this season.
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Earlier, Manchester United eased the pressure on Erik ten Hag with a comfortable 3-0 win at Southampton.
United had been left to fester on their humbling by Liverpool for two weeks over the international break but bounced back after a slow start at Southampton.
The Red Devils needed a penalty save from Andre Onana to deny Cameron Archer before two goals in five minutes just before half-time swung the game decisively in the visitors’ favour.
Matthijs de Ligt nodded in his first United goal before Marcus Rashford ended his six-month drought by finding the bottom corner with a curling effort.
Southampton are yet to register a point in four games since their return to the top flight and inflicted more damage on themselves when captain Jack Stephens saw red for a wild lunge on Alejandro Garnacho.
The Argentine dusted himself off to then round off the scoring with a thumping finish into the roof of the net in stoppage time.
Third-placed Brighton remain unbeaten but were unable to break down Ipswich in a 0-0 draw at the Amex.
EPL: Again, Haaland bags hat-trick as Man City beat West Ham to go top
Crystal Palace came from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Leicester thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s double.
West Ham also struck late through Danny Ings to snatch a 1-1 draw at Fulham.
Arsenal face Tottenham in the north London derby in the pick of Sunday’s action.
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