Against a team at the bottom of the table like Brenford, Man City had no difficulty dominating the match. They controlled the ball up to 73% of the time, shot 15 times on target while the home team only had 3 shots on target. However, it was not easy for Man City to leave with 3 points.
Man City had the first chance in the 10th minute. Julian Alvarez shot from just outside the box. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken dived to block. Brenford responded with a situation where Ivan Toney faced Ederson Moraes. The Brazilian goalkeeper won the ball.
In the following minutes, Man City players continuously shot towards Brentford's goal. However, goalkeeper Mark Flekken played excellently, keeping a clean sheet for the home team.
Phil Foden shined in the match against Brentford.
Brenford even took the lead. In the 21st minute, Mark Flekken kicked the ball into the Man City field. Ivan Toney cleverly placed himself, preventing Nathan Ake from reaching the ball. Neal Maupay ran down to receive the ball before finishing past Ederson Moraes.
The goal made Man City play more determined. Erling Haaland missed a good chance despite being one-on-one with Mark Flekken. But the visitors' efforts were rewarded in first-half stoppage time. Kevin De Bruyne crossed the ball, forcing a Brentford player to head it away. The ball fell right to Phil Foden, who controlled it neatly before finishing to equalize.
Early in the second half, De Bruyne crossed the ball to Foden again. Instead of controlling it, the English midfielder finished with a first-touch header to score Man City's second goal.
Man City dominated the game but their defence often left gaps for Brentford's strikers to score. If Christian Norgaard or Neal Maupay had finished more neatly, the home team would have had more goals.
Phil Foden, however, ended Brenford's efforts by completing his hat-trick in the 70th minute. Rodri passed straight through the middle. Foden released the ball before receiving a pass from Erling Haaland to score the third.
Man City won 3-1. They have 49 points, equal with Arsenal but are ranked higher thanks to a better goal difference. Pep Guardiola's team are only 2 points behind leaders Liverpool. Man City's advantage is that they have played one game less than their opponents.
Result: Brentford 1-3 Man City
Score
Brentford: Neal Maupay (21')
Man City: Phil Foden (45+3', 53', 70')
Van Hai
Source
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