Erling Haaland sinks Brentford twice after Yoane Wissa's goal at Manchester City | Premier League

Erling Haaland now has a record of nine goals in Manchester City's opening four Premier League games, eclipsing Wayne Rooney's previous mark of eight goals in 2011-12. In a nail-biting encounter, the Norwegian's double clinched all three points to secure a maximum of 12 from 12 for the champions.

The goals were followed by seemingly muted celebration after the recent loss of close family friend Ivar Eggja, and Haaland only informed Pep Guardiola on Friday that he was fit to play.

The City manager said: “Erling is very difficult to control in space. It was a difficult week for him. In the dressing room we try to look after everyone. If someone is in trouble, we stay close. He is doing what he has done for many years to perfection.”

The number 9's total in City colours stands at an astonishing 99 in 103 appearances and with the Premier League The case against the club begins on Monday and there is no sign that its decorated players are distracted.

City deny any wrongdoing but the star is acting against them Brentford Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson and Jack Grealish may have wondered how their stellar achievements might be affected if any of the 100-plus cases are confirmed. Yet this victory – over the last team to beat them here in normal time, 45 home games ago (Real Madrid won a penalty shoot-out in April) – began with a scare.

It was about 20 seconds into the game when Thomas Frank's men advanced up the pitch. The ball drifted out to the right and was lifted in at the far post; Keane Lewis-Potter headed low, John Stones missed, Ederson flailed and Yoane Wissa slid in.

Guardiola responded with a nonchalant turn. There was almost a repeat of a City side allowing Bryan Mbeumo through but Rico Lewis thwarted him as he went to shoot and now Frank, head in hands, was left feeling desperate.

City, emboldened, bombarded the visitors' goal. Grealish played on the wings, as always, advancing down his left flank. De Bruyne began to find space. Corners were taken from the right. The blue wave kept coming and, as it usually happens, crossed the opponent's area.

Mateo Kovacic passed the ball to Kyle Walker, the full-back passed to De Bruyne, an attempted pass found Haaland and a right-footed shot rebounded off Ethan Pinnock and past Mark Flekken.

Scoring is an easy and admirable thing to do, and Haaland does it. Rodri's ability to control a game is just as reliable, but he was nowhere to be seen from the bench as the Bees forced their way through City again. He went down the home side's right and won a corner, but the champions escaped.

Not so for Brentford, moments later. This was Guardiola-style route-one football. Haaland stomped forward from inside his own half as Ederson dropped a ball into the Brentford half. A nice slide tackle took out Pinnock, then Haaland took one, two touches and delicately slotted his way past Flekken.

City, with their defence stretched wide, attacked at full speed. Grealish crossed for Ilkay Gündogan and Christian Nørgaard cleared. Grealish volleyed in from a corner and the ball was blocked. Wissa limped off after a Kovacic foul that put the Croatian's name on Darren Bond's list.

It was no surprise that Rodri replaced Kovacic in the second half, with Josko Gvardiol coming on for Lewis. However, the team were not entirely confident after a misplaced pass from Ederson almost led to Brentford's equaliser.

City woke up: Rodri found De Bruyne and a cross from the right turned into a corner. The ball reached Savinho's feet, but his shot went high.

In what became a compendium of attempts, the next was a clever curling shot from Grealish which Flekken palmed away and a right-footed missile from Haaland which the Dutchman turned away. After Gvardiol had run inside, he passed the ball to Savinho and the Brazilian's shot was parried by the busy Flekken.

Haaland came within inches of equalling Liverpool's Jack Balmer, the last player to score a hat-trick in three consecutive top-flight games, in 1946. But his shot hit Flekken's right-hand post. However, you can't bet on the phenomenon not doing it soon.

Brentford and their manager impressed Guardiola. “Thomas is one of the best. It’s just a matter of time for him, he will get it (to a bigger club). I’m good at some things, but if I read when the manager is good, I’m good.”

Frank said: “It’s always nice to hear that. Maybe one day I’ll try something new.”