Brentford vs Man City LIVE: Premier League score and goal updates as Erling Haaland returns

Julian Alvarez forces a save out of the Brentford goalkeeper as Man City look to pile the pressure on. They recover the ball high up the pitch and slip it to Kyle Walker.

He’s wide open a long way out from goal but decides to strike one. It’s a solid shot but Mark Flekken leaps to the right and pushes the ball wide of the target again.

A slick move in the middle of the pitch sees the Bees slip Ivan Toney in behind the City defence. He carries the ball into the penalty area then shoots from the left side of the box.

Ederson closes him down, cuts off the angle to the near post and keeps the ball out before the offside flag goes up.

9 mins: From a Manchester City corner, Nathan Collins aggressively takes out Ruben Dias and the visitors want a penalty that the referee turns down as the ball heads out for another set piece.

VAR doesn’t over turn the decision and Brentford handle the next corner without too much trouble.

6 mins: Man City break quickly down the right wing with Kyle Walker feeding Kevin De Bruyne. He gives the ball to Bernardo Silva and carries on his run before receiving the ball back inside the box.

Phil Foden and Erling Haaland are on hand and waiting for the pass but De Bruyne’s cross ends up in the hands of Mark Flekken.

3 mins: Brentford clear their lines wonderfully and work the ball down the right wing for Ivan Toney. He flies forward and picks out Neal Maupay inside the box.

Rodri tracks back to dispossess the Bees forward but Brentford recover the ball quickly and give it back to Toney who’s stayed out wide.

His next cross is an awkward one for Ruben Dias who manages to nod it out of play.

Great pressure early on from the home side.

Julian Alvarez gets the match underway and City pump the ball over to the right side of the pitch. Erling Haaland attempts to win the ball in the air but Brentford hold firm and slot the ball away safely.

Manchester City know they can take a huge step towards regaining their title if they win tonight but Brentford have been one of their bogey teams in recent times.

Can the Bees defeat Pep Guardiola’s men again or will City close the gap on Liverpool?

The Manchester City boss addressed what it’s been like to face Brentford in recent times as the Bees have won the last two clashes.

Guardiola said: “We know in the past how difficult it has been. It was always tight when we won and [then] when we lost the two games last season.

“They are a difficult team for the way they play and the standards that they have. The manager is good. The club rely on him for many years. Everyone who comes knows exactly what they have to do.”

Brentford are the only one of the 21 Premier League sides that Erling Haaland has faced that he has not scored against. Will he have a point to prove tonight?

Kevin De Bruyne has scored a goal and provided four assists in his 199 minutes of action in all competitions this season.

Since the start of last season, De Bruyne has provided 32 assists in all competitions, at least eight more than any other Premier League player.