Foden’s hat-trick gives City a gutsy 1-3 win at Brentford and moves two points clear of Premier League leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.
Ruben Dias, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland are all in the starting line-up compared to the 3-1 win over Burnley.
The visitors practise long-range shots, but goalkeeper Mark Flekken deflects both of Julian Alvarez’s shots and also prevents Walker from scoring.
In the 21st minute, Flekken put the ball into play from his own goal and Neal Maupay takes advantage of the confusion in the City defence to make it 1-0.
Having conceded, City continue to press. Flekken continues to be error-free, stopping Holland’s breakthrough and deflecting Joschko Guardiola’s long-range shot.
The visitors then take a little breather, allowing the hosts to organise a few counterattacks.
Towards the end of the half, City pile on again and equalise. Ethan Pinnock is unable to clear the ball from his own penalty area, which Phil Foden takes advantage of. He chests the ball down at his feet and shoots into the net — 1-1.
Shortly after the start of the second half, Foden completes a double by heading in Kevin de Bruyne’s cross from near the goalkeeper’s area — 1:2.
Having taken the lead, the Cityzens backtrack a bit, and on 70 minutes they score their third goal. Foden picks up the ball from Holland on the approach to the penalty area, enters the penalty area in the centre and rolls the ball into the goal — 1:3.
The visitors have no problem to bring the game to victory. The hosts have no hope for anything.
Brentford are not bad in the first half, and Flecken is doing a great job. The Bees are a bit unable to hold on until the break and allow their opponents to equalise. In the second half, City’s higher class makes itself felt.
