Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland has attributed his phenomenal start to the season to the calming influence of his baby son, following his decisive goal in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Brentford. Haaland’s ninth-minute strike, a testament to his predatory instincts, propelled City to fifth place in the Premier League standings. The Norwegian forward has now scored in nine consecutive appearances for both club and country, marking the longest scoring streak of his career. With 12 goals in nine matches across all competitions this season and six more for Norway, Haaland’s form has been nothing short of sensational. Tottenham remains the only team to have kept him off the scoresheet this campaign. Haaland, 25, believes he is in peak physical and mental condition, a state he credits to the birth of his first child in December. “I have never felt better than I do now. It’s about preparation, both physically and mentally. Having a kid has helped me disconnect from football and relax more,” he said. Haaland’s 18th goal of the season leaves Anfield as the only Premier League ground where he is yet to score. Reflecting on his goal against Brentford, Haaland ranked it among his best for City, praising his ability to evade defenders and convert Josko Gvardiol’s long pass with a clinical finish. “This goal is top for me because of the whole situation. It was a tough game, but we prepared well,” he added. Since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has amassed an astonishing 94 Premier League goals in just 104 appearances. His performance against Brentford, despite their defensive tactics, has reportedly intensified interest from Barcelona President Joan Laporta, who views Haaland as a top transfer target. However, Haaland remains focused on helping City close the gap on league leaders Arsenal, who are three points ahead. “It’s not easy to break down a low block, but winning feels even better,” Haaland concluded. In other Premier League results, Aston Villa defeated Burnley 2-1, Everton edged Crystal Palace 2-1, Newcastle triumphed 2-0 over Nottingham Forest, and Wolves drew 1-1 with Brighton.