Phil Foden, on Monday night, scored a hat-trick and moved Manchester City within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool with a 3-1 win at Brentford.
City came from behind to defeat Brentford in the pulsating match.
The treble winners were stunned as Neal Maupay latched onto Mark Flekken’s long goal-kick for a route-one opener after 21 minutes, and they found the Brentford goalkeeper in inspired form as they sought an equaliser.
But just as Arsenal and Liverpool – both of whom have played a game more than City – were beginning to let themselves hope, Brentford’s resistance was broken when Ethan Pinnock’s weak clearance allowed Foden a simple finish moments before the break.
The midfielder then kept City’s charge back towards the top on track when he ghosted in to meet Kevin De Bruyne’s deep cross to complete the turnaround eight minutes into the second half.
Arsenal defeat Liverpool at Emirates to ignite title race
Foden completed his own personal milestone with the second hat-trick of his career after latching onto Erling Haaland’s lay-off and coolly slotting home a third 20 minutes from time to seal City’s fifth successive league win, and 15th-placed Brentford’s seventh defeat in eight.
Speaking after the game, Brentford manager, Thomas Frank, said: “I think overall it was a good performance – especially in the first half but actually throughout the game. We defended very well and we limited them to shots outside the box except the chance to Haaland in that first half due to our own poor back pass.
“The boys defended so well but then make a minor mistake for 1-1. We talked a lot about closing down De Bruyne but then he made an unbelievably precise pass and they showed the quality for 2-1.
“We had a big chance for Norgaard and for Ivan and those are the chances we have to take to beat the best team in the world.”
On his part, City manager, Pep Guardiola, said: “It was a very tough game as what they do from experience, at corners, is really hard to defend against. The way they link with Toney is unstoppable. But we had a lot of shots in the first half and their goalkeeper was amazing.
“I think we deserved it but at the same time we were fortunate to go in 1-1 at half time.
“In the second half, we were much better.”
Brentford visit Wolves in the Premier League at Molineux on Saturday, while City host Everton at the Etihad Stadium on the same day.
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