Erling Haaland has ‘never felt better’ as he nets for ninth consecutive game in Manchester City’s Premier League win over Brentford

The Bees failed to reply, as Pep Guardiola’s side picked up three points to take them to fifth in the table and apply pressure on title challengers Arsenal and Liverpool ahead of the international break.

After the win, Haaland reflected on his current form, which has seen him score in nine consecutive matches as he notched his 18th goal for club and country this season.

“I have never felt better than I do now,” he told Sky Sports.

He continued: “It is about preparation first of all, getting ready for the games. I’ve spoken many times about it before. You can be physically ready, but you need to be mentally ready as well.

“To be honest, with a kid (his son), it makes me even better because I actually disconnect more than ever – I don’t think about football at all.

“Sometimes when you are a bit younger, you think of this and that and maybe worry about things, but when I go home, I relax even more. So, I think I need to give a shout-out to my son.”

Haaland has nine Premier League goals this season, with three in the UEFA Champions League and six for Norway, which included a stunning five strikes against Moldova.

Of the 11 games he has played for club and country, he has only failed to score in one outing, which came in a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

With the striker in prolific form in front of goal – and having taken his record for City to 136 goals in 155 games – Guardiola credited Haaland for his current output.

“He has been so important this season for us, I would say,” City boss Guardiola said. “We need more goals from the other ones (players) but the chances were there.

“The wingers have to score more goals, the wingers have to score in those situations one against one, one against two, they had to finish more, but step by step we will do it.

“It was much more solid with the team in the game, we will be fine.”

The only disappointment for City in west London on Sunday was an injury to Rodri, who was forced off in the first half, after it looked as though he had tweaked his hamstring.

“I was right, no? In the beginning of the game, when you asked me why I don’t play him 90 minutes all the time,” Guardiola responded when asked about his midfielder’s fitness.

“The journalists always ask me why substitute him? Hopefully, it will not be huge.”

Guardiola, who joined City in 2016, also became the fastest manager to reach 250 Premier League wins, beating the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger to the feat by a comfortable margin.

“I will invite all of them (managers whose record he has beaten) to dinner,” Guardiola said on his achievement.

“I think it’s an honour to sit at the table with them, so it’s not bad. It’s 10 seasons, 250 victories is a lot. We started for one reason because we won a lot.

“I didn’t know, but it’s nice.”