Man City player ratings vs Brentford as Erling Haaland great but John Stones poor

Manchester City moved clear at the top of the Premier League table with a comeback win over Brentford.

The visitors stunned the Etihad with a goal inside 23 seconds as sloppy defensive play allowed Yoane Wissa to head home, and Thomas Frank's team will feel they could have been further ahead. Having not taken their opportunities, they were punished by a ruthless Erling Haaland who added goals eight and nine for the season.

A third consecutive hat-trick wasn't quite to be, but Haaland still steered City towards another three points as their perfect start continued. Here is how the players rated:

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Ederson: Not great for the opening goal but brilliant after that with his saves, his decision-making and his distribution - particularly the kick that created the second goal. 8

Walker: All over the place at the back, not picking men up at the far post and getting mixed up with Stones over who should cover what. 5

Stones: Probably the most culpable for the goal and made too many errors in the game for City to be comfortable. 5

Akanji: City's most accomplished defender, solid at the back and happy pushing forward in possession. 7

Lewis: Gave his man too much space for the early goal. Worked hard afterwards, but taken off at half-time. 6

Kovacic: Overrun in midfield as Brentford won every second ball in the opening stages, and a clumsy tackle was one of his last acts before a half-time change. 6

Gundogan: Improved as the game went on, linking well with Haaland in the second half. 7

De Bruyne: Nothing came off as he wanted in the game, with loose touches and rash passes scuppering any chances for glory. 6

Savinho: Always driving towards goal, he gave City purpose in the final third. He was booked for diving needlessly trying to win a penalty though. 6

Grealish: Remains the king of the final pass or shot that nearly comes off, but there was enough intent and quality from him on the left. 7

Haaland: Outstanding. Two brilliant goals and a performance that dragged City to three points - all after a difficult week. 9

Substitutes

Rodri (for Kovacic, 46) Quiet but a calming influence as the second half went on. 7

Gvardiol (for Lewis, 46) Pushed up on the left to allow Grealish to drift inside. 7

Dias (for Stones, 84) No time.

Silva (for Grealish, 84) No time.

Nunes (for Savinho, 90) No time.

Not used: Ortega, McAtee, Foden, Doku