Brentford vs Man City LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Phil Foden hat-trick completes comeback win
Brentford 1-3 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s men move to within two points of Liverpool
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Manchester City came from behind to end their recent hoodoo against Brentford with a comfortable 3-1 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium. The Bees, who won both of their clashes against City last season, started well attacking with pace and threatening Ederson’s goal.
At the other end of the pitch, they were aided by the unbeatable Mark Flekken. The goalkeeper made nine saves in the first half before pumping a long ball forward and suppling the assist for the opening goal. Ivan Toney held off his marker to allow the ball to bounce through to Neal Maupay. Maupay collected and slotted home a fine finish.
Going behind spurred City on, Phil Foden brought down Ethan Pinnock’s poor clearance to equalise on the stroke of half-time before meeting a perfect cross from Kevin De Bruyne and nodding City ahead just after the break.
He completed his hat-trick after a slick assist from Erling Haaland and the third goal ensured City were in no danger of losing their lead.
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Phil Foden’s perfect hat-trick shows why Man City are about to ease clear in the title race
After finishes with the right foot and the head, it was the trusted left that delivered the final blow. On the night where Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were reunited in Manchester City’s attack, a perfect hat-trick from Phil Foden brought the champions to within two points of leaders Liverpool as Pep Guardiola’s side completed another away comeback in the Premier League. City will return top if they win their game in hand - which is also against Brentford, and after breaking the spell that Thomas Frank’s side held over them last season, the champions have another reason to be encouraged as they threaten to ease away in the title race.
Brentford were the only team to do the double over City last campaign - Guardiola has never lost to the same opposition three times in a row in the league, but Neal Maupay’s opener may have had the Catalan thinking that Frank was about to repeat his trick. For a fourth away game in a row in the Premier League, City trailed.
But like at Newcastle, Everton and Luton, the champions came from behind to win. A double from Foden either side of half time turned the match around and broke Brentford’s resilience. An inspired performance from goalkeeper Mark Flekken, which in the first half included nine saves and a long-range assist for Maupay’s opener, was quickly undone by Foden’s pair of instinctive finishes.
Phil Foden’s perfect hat-trick shows why Man City are about to ease clear
Brentford 1-3 Manchester City: As Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne returned, it was Foden who produced a match-winning display as the champions came from behind
Brentford boss Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC Sport:
“We gave it a very good go. I thought it was a very good performance. I thought we were brave and defended very well against the best team in the world. We limited them to shots outside the box in the first half. The goal before half time was a tough one to take.
“Second half, we continued and we knew De Bruyne was the key player to close down but he found that magic pass. Some of the things were good but when you face the best team in the world, you need to be perfect.
“We know that we can get a win against any team in the division, we’ve shown it before. We’ve had good games against City and Tottenham. The performances have been good, we’ve got key players back and I see it as a matter of time before the points come.”
More from Foden who told Sky Sports:
“I’m a person that adapts and plays a lot of positions when needed. I know I will do that with Manchester City and have to be ready. I’m enjoying playing in the middle and that’s where I see myself. Hopefully I can get more game time playing there.
“The [first] goal came at a great time, going into the break equalising gives you a good feeling going into the second half. It’s so difficult here, they have given big teams problems but I thought we deserved it.
“All I set myself it try to better last year’s stats and just try to improve every year, more goals and more assists. I need to keep going and showing this level of performance more often. I don’t score a lot of headers so I’m delighted with that one.”
Phil Foden talking to Sky Sports:
“We know the quality they have. [Ivan] Toney is one of the best in winning aerial duels, we knew the threat he would have. They are a fantastic team and we had to react and we did that well and I’m delighted with the outcome of the game.
“We stayed calm and we’re a team that trusts our ability. There were ups and downs but we had to remain patient. They closed the spaces but we remained patient, controlled the game and created chances, which was nice to see.
“I’m really glad with my performances and am playing a lot of minutes inside, where I want to be, and I’m delighted with the way I’m playing. I’m playing the best form I’ve had in a City shirt consistently for a long time and long may that continue and I will keep working hard on the training ground.”
FT Brentford 1-3 Man City
Man City have won their last five games in the Premier League, their last longer winning streak was from 11 August, 2023 to 23 September, 2023, a run of six games.
FT Brentford 1-3 Man City
Manchester City have won 17 points from losing positions in the league this season, only Liverpool (19) have recovered more.
FT Brentford 1-3 Man City
Brentford have lost 26 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other team. They are three points above the relegation and in dire need of a win.
FT Brentford 1-3 Man City
Phil Foden scored his second Premier League hat-trick tonight with his three goals.
The Manchester City midfielder inspired a comeback from the champions who came from a goal down to defeat Thomas Frank’s Brentford.
Full-time! Brentford 1-3 Man City
90+5 mins: Man City secure the points.
It’s another Premier League win for Pep Guardiola’s men who came from behind to defeat Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
They’re the only team with a100% win record since Christmas.
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