In a captivating Premier League encounter, Phil Foden’s remarkable hat-trick rallied Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over Brentford, narrowing the gap to league leaders Liverpool to just two points. Despite Brentford’s initial lead through Neal Maupay, City’s resilience, spearheaded by Foden’s brilliance, showcased their championship mettle.
Brentford’s lineup saw a single alteration from their previous match, integrating Sergio Reguilon in place of Keane Lewis-Potter. Manchester City welcomed the return of Erling Haaland, marking his first start since early December, alongside other key players such as Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva.
The match began with City asserting their dominance, though Brentford’s Mark Flekken was outstanding, denying several attempts from City’s attackers. Against the run of play, Maupay’s precision gave Brentford the lead, with Ivan Toney’s physicality crucial in the buildup, although Flekken’s long ball ultimately secured him the assist, marking a rare goalkeeper contribution in the Premier League.
City’s response was immediate, with Haaland nearly equalizing if not for Flekken’s heroics. However, Foden’s persistence paid off just before halftime, exploiting a defensive lapse from Ethan Pinnock to level the scores.
The second half saw Foden continue where he left off, quickly adding to his tally with a header from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross. Despite Brentford’s attempts to rally back, spearheaded by Maupay and Toney, City’s defense held firm.
Foden completed his hat-trick with a composed finish, solidifying City’s win and contributing to a record-breaking Matchweek with 45 goals across the league. This victory marks City’s fifth consecutive win, positioning them as strong contenders in the title race, just two points behind Liverpool.
Brentford’s struggle continues, with this defeat adding to a series of losses that sees them precariously placed above the relegation zone. As Manchester City looks to build on this momentum, Brentford faces the daunting task of regaining form to ensure their Premier League survival.
