Brentford vs Manchester City - Premier League: Live score and updates as Erling Haaland gives Pep Guardiola's side an early lead

Right, let's take a look at the one bit of quality we have seen in this match.

It, of course, came from Manchester City's main man: Erling Haaland.

The guy just can't stop scoring. This was his ninth Premier League goal of the season in seven games.

And it's just brilliant, too.

Well, that was boring.

It's been almost too easy for Manchester City, who just look like they are taking part in a training session.

The fact that they haven't scored more than one is the most surprising thing; Brentford have been dreadful.

A very one-sided affair.

When are players going to learn?

Kevin Schade gestures for a Manchester City player to get a booking, and well, the yellow does come out.

But it's shown to Schade, and not anybody in blue.

I hope these two minutes go quickly.

I'm not sure how much more of this dross I can take. It's not been a fun watch whatsoever.

Do Brentford know that they need to put some effort in?

Honestly, they have done absolutely diddly in this game and are just letting Manchester City boss things.

I can't remember the last time they left their half with the ball...

Erm... what?

Nico O'Reilly is screaming for a penalty as his cross beats everybody in the box.

But honestly, I have no idea why.

VAR supposedly checks for a handball on Nathan Collins, but nothing doing, and I genuinely couldn't see it.

What was I saying again?

Just as I finished moaning, Manchester City sprang into life to shut me up. It's always the way.

Tijjani Reijnders gets on the end of a cross in the box and goes for the goal, but Caoimhin Kelleher makes a phenomenal stop from point-blank range to deny him.

I'm not sure how he has managed that. Incredible.

Right, I'm going to say it... I'm bored.

Brentford have been tosh, and Manchester City are just passing it about casually. Also, the atmosphere is appalling, which really isn't helping.

I was really hoping to be entertained. Disappointing.

You're joking.

Michael Kayode is meant to be the King of long throws, but he has just been done for a foul throw.

It's bad enough that a normal player is getting penalised for that, but a specialist. That's just silly.

What a waste!

Phil Foden, is that really you? Normally so clinical here, the midfielder can't hit a barn door this afternoon.

Oscar Bobb finds him in the box, and he has to at least get a strike on target.

But he fires it miles wide.

Oh, stop that, Oscar Bobb.

The winger has just danced through a couple of Brentford bodies as if it was nothing, so cool.

Nothing comes from it, but honestly, it doesn't matter. It was just a lovely bit of skill, and I appreciate it.

The lad is special.

Phil Foden is desperate to get his customary goal here.

The bloke has netted six goals in four games at this stadium, and has now had his second try at getting a seventh.

He's never going to find the net with tame strikes like that, though... easy for Caoimhin Kelleher.

Brentford really need to get their attackers into this game.

They may as well be playing with nine men, because Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade have only touched the ball five times combined.

How are you meant to cause problems if you don't get the ball to your forwards? Well, you just won't.

Oh no, this isn't good.

Rodri drops to the floor and gives a look of frustration, before shaking his head. He is holding the back of his knee, and it's as though he knows that the treatment table awaits him again.

And just like that, his afternoon is done - Nico Gonzalez is on to replace him.

Gutting for the Spaniard.

Manchester City are playing some lovely stuff.

They do well down the right, and Tijjani Reijnders then does well to find Phil Foden.

The midfielder adores this ground and he has a dig from the edge of the box.

But no goal this time, as Caoimhin Kelleher denies him.

Ah, this isn't being played in an empty ground then...

The Brentford fans finally show they have some life in them as they let out a cheer when their side wins a corner.

I mean, I'd honestly forgotten they were here, they had been that quiet beforehand.

Tijjani, why have you done me like that?

I backed Reijnders as a baller, and then he only goes and sends the ball into space with an awful shot.

The Dutchman knows it's a bad one; he gives a wry smile as he trudges back to position.

Is that game over, already?

It may only have been 10 minutes, but honestly, I'm not sure how Brentford come back into this.

They can't even get near the ball, and the pass to Erling Haaland is on every time.

I wish I triple-captained him this week in FPL, damn.

Who else?

Erling Haaland is simply unstoppable at the moment, and that is just a brilliant goal.

For the third time in a week, he wheels away in celebration after battling through the bodies and sliding the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher.

He jumps into the City away end, and it's utter chaos.

We have our first effort of the game.

I say 'effort', but it's a rather tame header from Ruben Dias that doesn't worry Caoimhin Kelleher in the slightest.

What I want to mention, though, is just how flat the atmosphere is. It's almost non-existent.

That is very nearly a special, special goal.

Tijjani Reijnders is the definition of a baller, and he shows just that, dancing through several Brentford players and into the box.

But he just can't manage to get a shot off in time, and the beautiful bit of solo play comes to nothing.

It deserved a goal, that.

Nothing to write home about yet.

In fact, I have slumped back in my chair and just listened to the chants from the away end.

It was nice not to be bent over my keyboard for a second; my back needed it.

I'm sure things will pick up soon, though, and I will be hunching again.

There is a moment's silence ahead of kick-off to remember those who sadly died in the tragic Manchester attack this week.

City are wearing black armbands which read 'A City United', with the words in red and blue.

And after the silence, there are some team huddles, and then off we go.

Thanks, Michael!

I have been thoroughly entertained today, and I am expecting that to continue here at the Gtech.

These two teams certainly know how to score goals, and I reckon we could be in for a cracker.

I am just itching for this to get going.

With kick off minutes away, it is time for me to pass over to our live blog guru Harry Bamforth, who will guide you through proceedings.

Enjoy the match!

Preparations are well underway at the Gtech with both teams going through extensive warm-ups.

We are just 20 minutes away from kick-off in the final Premier League match of the weekend.

Brentford's start to the season has seen a marked contrast between their home and away form.

The Bees are unbeaten so far at the Gtech despite a tricky looking fixture list.

Keith Andrews side have beaten Aston Villa and Man United, while they snatched a late draw against Chelsea.

By contrast, they have been beaten by Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Fulham on the road.

While Man City will have Igor Thiago to contend with, logic says the Premier League's top scorer Erling Haaland will be the focus of Brentford's attentions as he looks to add to his eight league goals this campaign.

However, Phil Foden could well prove to be the dangerman. Foden is the only player to have scored for Man City in their four visits to the Gtech.

Foden has scored six goals in those four games, including netting a hat-trick back in February 2024.

Our friends at Squawka note that no player has scored more goals at a specific away stadium in the Premier League since 2021-22 than Foden’s six at the Gtech.

Foden may also have a point to prove today, after he was left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad.

One man to keep an eye on this afternoon, particularly for the Man City defence, will be Brentford forward Igor Thiago.

The Brazilian forward saw his debut Premier League season largely ruined by injury, which restricted him to just eight appearances.

Thiago has made a lightning fast start to his second as he looks to make up for lost time.

The 24-year-old has already struck four times in the Premier League this season, including netting a brace last week against Man United.

Daily Mail Sport has spoken exclusively to the forward about that performance, his manager Keith Andrews and his hopes of becoming Brazil's No 9 and winning the golden boot.

You can read the interview here

Pep Guardiola makes two changes from their last Premier League match, their 5-1 victory over Burnley.

Oscar Bobb and Rodri make the starting line-up in place of Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez.

Must admit Doku dropping to the bench has surprised me given his recent impressive form.

There is also a welcome return of Rayan Cherki to the Man City squad.

He is on the bench having recovered from a quad injury sustained back in August.

Keith Andrews makes one change to his Brentford side from last weekend's victory over Man United.

Kristoffer Ajer comes into the starting line-up, with Dango Ouattara dropping to the Bees' bench.

Can Brentford claim a double over the Manchester clubs?

Last weekend Keith Andrews side earned a 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Bees will be eyeing a repeat result this afternoon with Pep Guardiola's Man City the visitors in west London.

Man City will no doubt be looking to take advantage of Liverpool's last gasp defeat to Chelsea on Saturday and put themselves firmly into the title race.

Guardiola's side head into the match six points behind the new league leaders Arsenal.

Will Man City close the gap or can Brentford earn another impressive result at home.

Follow along with Daily Mail Sport's live blog to find out.