Manchester City overcame Brentford in a must-win encounter to keep alive the Premier League title pursuit by moving two points behind leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s team stuttered on Monday with a 3-3 draw at Everton but rebounded by scoring three times in the second half against the Bees, putting pressure back on the table-toppers.
City must now wait to see the impact of their victory; Mikel Arteta’s side will look to re-establish their five-point lead against relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday.
Belgium international Jeremy Doku was the best player on the pitch, and he should have scored in the first two minutes when he forced Caoimhin Kelleher into a low save before clipping in a cross that Erling Haaland headed wide.
Man City was frustrated in the first half, with Haaland firing a header straight at Kelleher and Kristoffer Ajer blocking another goalbound effort.
However, they broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Doku cut inside and curled a superb finish into the far corner, just as he did late on against Everton on Monday to save a point for his team.
With 15 minutes remaining, Haaland scrambled in a second, bringing relief to Etihad Stadium, before replacement Omar Marmoush added a third late on.
However, the guests have previously caused trouble in the Man City.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma flapped at Michael Kayode’s long throw, and the ball was cleared off the line, while Mathias Jensen’s dangerous inswinging free kick had to be pushed away by Italy’s captain.
Donnarumma also had to react quickly to paw out Igor Thiago’s shot at the near post in the second half, but the City goalkeeper kept a clean sheet, leaving the Bees ninth in the table.
Man City fans groaned at halftime, as it appeared that they would be disappointed. Little was going the hosts’ way, so they had to take potshots at goal.
However, Guardiola’s side fought in the second period, scoring twice through Doku and Haaland, with a Marmoush goal in the 92nd minute ensuring they did not give up in this thrilling championship chase.
They now need Arsenal to slip up, but they must also win their next two league games against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth to ensure the fight goes all the way to the end.
Man City extended their league home unbeaten streak to 16 games, despite losing to Spurs in their first game at Etihad Stadium in August—that early loss may prove significant in the long term.
Saturday’s three goals put Man City’s goal difference at +40, only one behind Arsenal, and every goal scored or allowed by the top two might be pivotal.
Man City could have drawn level on that statistic after substitute Phil Foden’s flicked effort was well saved by Kelleher, but the three points were all that counted.
