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 20:27 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 1-0 Man City

26 mins: Save! Mark Flekken is having a blinder!

Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne link up to get the ball into the box before Walker passes it back across the box. The ball comes to the feet of Josko Gvardiol who nails a shot at goal and forces yet another leaping stop out of the Brentford goalkeeper.

[5 February 2024 20:24 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 1-0 Man City

23 mins: Chance!

Brentford give the ball away with a poor pass back for Nathan Collins. Erling Haaland latches onto the loose ball, carries it into the box and shoots but Mark Flekken sticks out a leg and deflects the ball wide.

Huge save, huge moment!

[5 February 2024 20:22 · Mike Jones]

GOAL! Brentford 1-0 Man City (Maupay, 21’)⚽️

21 mins: Brentford strike first!

A long ball looks to be heading for Ivan Toney but the forward leaves the ball alone and let’s it bounce through to Neal Maupay who makes a run in behind the lines.

He collects the ball, dribbles into the box then slots it perfectly underneath Ederson to open the scoring!

[5 February 2024 20:20 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 0-0 Man City

18 mins: There’s been a few moments of joy for Brentford on the counter attack but for the most part they’ve been made to work hard defensively.

Walker flicks a pass into the box that gets nodded as far as De Bruyne. He weaves into space and lifts a cross over to Haaland who is marked by two defenders and the ball is played out for a corner.

[5 February 2024 20:15 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 0-0 Man City

15 mins: Close!

Julian Alvarez forces a save out of the Brentford goalkeeper as Man City look to pile the pressure on. They recover the ball high up the pitch and slip it to Kyle Walker.

He’s wide open a long way out from goal but decides to strike one. It’s a solid shot but Mark Flekken leaps to the right and pushes the ball wide of the target again.

[5 February 2024 20:14 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 0-0 Man City

12 mins: Offside!

A slick move in the middle of the pitch sees the Bees slip Ivan Toney in behind the City defence. He carries the ball into the penalty area then shoots from the left side of the box.

Ederson closes him down, cuts off the angle to the near post and keeps the ball out before the offside flag goes up.

[5 February 2024 20:12 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 0-0 Man City

9 mins: From a Manchester City corner, Nathan Collins aggressively takes out Ruben Dias and the visitors want a penalty that the referee turns down as the ball heads out for another set piece.

VAR doesn’t over turn the decision and Brentford handle the next corner without too much trouble.

[5 February 2024 20:08 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 0-0 Man City

6 mins: Man City break quickly down the right wing with Kyle Walker feeding Kevin De Bruyne. He gives the ball to Bernardo Silva and carries on his run before receiving the ball back inside the box.

Phil Foden and Erling Haaland are on hand and waiting for the pass but De Bruyne’s cross ends up in the hands of Mark Flekken.

[5 February 2024 20:04 · Mike Jones]

Brentford 0-0 Man City

3 mins: Brentford clear their lines wonderfully and work the ball down the right wing for Ivan Toney. He flies forward and picks out Neal Maupay inside the box.

Rodri tracks back to dispossess the Bees forward but Brentford recover the ball quickly and give it back to Toney who’s stayed out wide.

His next cross is an awkward one for Ruben Dias who manages to nod it out of play.

Great pressure early on from the home side.

[5 February 2024 20:01 · Mike Jones]

Kick off! Brentford 0-0 Man City

Julian Alvarez gets the match underway and City pump the ball over to the right side of the pitch. Erling Haaland attempts to win the ball in the air but Brentford hold firm and slot the ball away safely.