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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Your support makes all the difference.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.
Relive the action with our live blog below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Brentford vs Man City
Brentford have lost six of their past seven Premier League matches. Thomas Frank’s side haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 11 Premier League games and face an uphill task against Man City tonight.
Brentford vs Man City team changes
Brentford have made just one change to the team that were beaten 3-2 at Tottenham on Wednesday. Sergio Reguilon, who couldn’t play against parent club Spurs, comes back into the team for Keane Lewis-Potter.
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, makes four changes to the Manchester City side who beat Burnley 3-1 as Erling Haaland makes his first start since injuring his foot.
Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva all return
Brentford vs Man City line-ups
Brentford XI: Flekken; Collins, Mee, Pinnock; Roerslev, Janelt, Jensen, Norgaard, Reguilon; Toney, Maupay
Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne; Alvarez, Foden, Haaland
‘Our hunger never stops’ says Ake
Manchester City’s Nathan Ake says that the team are always chasing success on the pitch and are ‘hungry’ to repeat last season’s feat of winning a treble.
The defender said: “Our hunger and desire to win never stops. Those moments where we lifted the five trophies last year are special and once you do it once, you want to do it again and again.
“We lost a few players in the summer but the new lads that have come in have added to that hunger.
“They are desperate to achieve their own success with us and that contributes to us being a winning side. That mentality of wanting to be the best never stops.”
Thomas Frank on facing Manchester City
Brentford manager, Thomas Frank, says that Manchester City are ‘flying’ as they look to regain the Premier League title. The Bees defeated City twice last season and are hoping to repeat that feat tonight.
“They are flying at the moment, and they are on track to do the undoable – winning the treble again,” said Frank.
“I don’t think any team has won the treble twice, and it’s still possible for them. Pep [Guardiola] will say one game at a time, but they’ve got the best team and the best players in the world – end of discussion. Pep is potentially the best manager in the world.
“When people, players and managers don’t have that hunger and determination any more, do they lose it? It doesn’t seem like they’ve lost it. They can do something no side has done in history, and I think that’s what drives them every single day.
“It’s going to be unbelievably difficult for us on Monday night, but the good news for Brentford fans is that we have big belief and big determination.
“We know that we are difficult for any team to play against, even Man City. The percentages are against us to win the game, but we believe we can.”
Brentford vs Manchester City
Brentford were one of just four teams to beat Manchester City in the Premier League last season, and the only team to do the double over them.
The Bees are aiming to be the first team to beat City three times in a row since Liverpool in 2015 and 2016.
Pep Guardiola responds to Erling Haaland speculation amid links with Real Madrid
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has challenged Real Madrid to make an offer for Erling Haaland if they really want him.
There were reports in Spain last week that Haaland dislikes life in Manchester so much that he wants to leave the club.
Perhaps inevitably, it was suggested Real Madrid were monitoring the prolific Norway striker’s situation.
The suspicion at City is that this could have been an attempt by Madrid-leaning media to unsettle the 23-year-old and edge him towards the Bernabeu Stadium.
Pep Guardiola responds to Erling Haaland speculation amid links with Real Madrid
Reports in Spain last week claimed Haaland dislikes life in Manchester.
‘The team is focused’ says Ederson
Ederson also spoke about the Premier League title race and believes that three possible teams, Liverpool, Arsenal and City themselves, can win the title.
“The team is focused, all of the players have their feet on the ground,” he explained. “They’re giving their all every day, preparing in the best way to be ready for the next match. I think that the most important thing is mentality, humility of the group.
“Training well every day, putting the effort in, dedicating yourself, and of course respecting the manager’s decisions.
“I think that we have a great dressing room, with young players who like to work hard, to dedicate themselves to the maximum. When it’s time to joke we joke, when it’s time to work we work hard.
“I think that the title race is between Liverpool, City and Arsenal, I think they are the three favourites to win the Premier League.”
Ederson excited at De Bruyne’s return
Manchester City’s Ederson says he is thrilled that Kevin De Bruyne has returned to the team following a prolonged spell on the sidelines and he is confident the Belgian will be a key figure in City’s fight for a fourth consecutive Premier League title.
“It’s just like chess – you have to protect the king [De Bruyne]! Now we have our ‘king’ back, one of the best assisters in Premier League history, third in the list now,” said Ederson.
“We’re so happy to have him back and playing good football, especially after such a long time out. He’s a player that our team missed a lot because he has such ability – he finds passes that very few players can find.
“He gets assists, scores goals, plays good football, he keeps the ball, so I’m very happy that he’s back and that he has returned to his high level.
“I hope that he can help us a lot for the rest of the season, not only him, but the whole group.”
Thomas Frank on January transfer window
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said that he is satisfied with the Bees’ business in January especially as the club managed to keep hold of Ivan Toney.
“I was pretty sure, and I said from the beginning, that I thought Ivan will stay with us, so I was not worried about that,” said the Brentford boss, “But in general, it’s nice to know what you’re working with.
“At the end of the day, we decide if players can leave or not. Of course, money talks. And we also know that we are a selling club.
“It’s part of our strategy that we bring young, talented players in. We develop them, make them better, they come on a journey with us and improve.
“Hopefully they do some fantastic stuff in the league, maybe one day win something, and then after some years, if they are good enough, they can progress to the next level.”
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