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

Toney an exceptional player - Guardiola

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 LIVE

• Phil Foden’s perfect hat-trick shows why Man City are about to ease clear in the title race
• Manchester City come from behind to defeat Brentford in the Premier League
• 70’ GOAL! - Foden completes his hat-trick (BRE 1-3 MCI)
• 53’ GOAL! - Foden meets De Bruyne’s cross and nods home (BRE 1-2 MCI)
• 45+3’ GOAL! - Foden takes advantage of Pinnock’s mistake to tap home the equaliser (BRE 1-1 MCI)
• 23’ SAVE! - Flekken deflects Haaland’s shot (BRE 1-0 MCI)
• 21’ GOAL! - A long ball gets Maupay in behind for a cool finish past Ederson (BRE 1-0 MCI)
• 15’ CLOSE! - Walker’s long range effort palmed wide by Flekken (BRE 0-0 MCI)

[5 February 2024 20:54 · Mike Jones]

HT Brentford 1-1 Man City

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

(Action Images via Reuters)

[5 February 2024 20:50 · Mike Jones]

Half-time! Brentford 1-1 Man City

45+4 mins: Brentford took the lead, kept it due to Mark Flekken’s impressive display in goal but Phil Foden finally broke the Bees resistance on the stroke of half-time.

Can Brentford bounce back in the second half or will City storm to victory?

[5 February 2024 20:49 · Mike Jones]

GOAL! Brentford 1-1 Man City (Foden, 45+3’)⚽️

45+3 mins: Flekken is beaten!

A poor headed clearance from Ethan Pinnock sees the defender just nod to the ball to Phil Foden who is part of Man City’s high press.

Foden has plenty of time, he chests the ball down then slots it into the back of the net. City have their goal.

[5 February 2024 20:46 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 1-0 Man City

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play. Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva both take shots from the edge of the box but neither of them beats Mark Flekken.

[5 February 2024 20:42 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 1-0 Man City

42 mins: Brentford have a good few minutes in piling the pressure on Man City. It’s a nice reminder that the visitors won’t just have everything their way in this match.

Pep Guardiola’s men will continue to push for an equaliser though, three minutes plus added time to play until the break.

[5 February 2024 20:39 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 1-0 Man City

39 mins: The corner ball is whipped into the box and comes to Ivan Toney. He gets a flick on but hits the nearest defender and the ball bounces out for another corner.

Sergio Reguilon plays it short to Mathias Jensen then gets it back. He delivers a decent cross but Ederson awkwardly pushes it away to the right.

[5 February 2024 20:37 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 1-0 Man City

37 mins: After a bit of treatment, Janelt hobbles back onto the pitch for Brentford. The Bees are causing a few issues with their long balls as City seem intent to keep a high line.

Ederson punts the ball out of play to afford Brentford some possession inside the final third. Mathias Jensen flings a long throw into the penalty area and Rodri knocks it behind for a corner.

[5 February 2024 20:35 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 1-0 Man City

35 mins: The Man City players are booed by the home crowd after playing on following a heavy tackle on Vitaly Janelt. Bernardo Silva makes the tackle then sweeps up the pitch.

He receives the ball on the right side of the box and belts a shot over the top of the crossbar!

[5 February 2024 20:33 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 1-0 Man City

32 mins: Kevin De Bruyne looks ping a corner ball to the edge of the area but Brentford easily clear the danger once more.

It’s been a decent defensive showing from Thomas Frank’s men so far but how long can they hold out?

[5 February 2024 20:29 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 1-0 Man City

29 mins: There’s been a visible increase in tempo and intensity from Man City. More crosses are coming into the box, more runs are being made, the defenders are pushing slightly higher.

Brentford need to weather this storm for a few minutes.