Manchester City kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a crucial victory over Brentford, moving to within two points of league leaders Arsenal.
After being held to a 3-3 draw by Everton earlier in the week, Pep Guardiola’s side responded strongly at the Etihad Stadium, scoring three second-half goals to maintain pressure on the Gunners.
Jeremy Doku was City’s standout performer and nearly opened the scoring inside two minutes when his low effort forced goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher into an early save. The Belgian winger also delivered a dangerous cross that Erling Haaland headed wide.
City dominated possession in the opening half but struggled to find a breakthrough. Haaland saw another header comfortably saved by Kelleher, while Kristoffer Ajer produced a vital block to deny the Norwegian striker.
The breakthrough finally came on the hour mark when Doku cut inside from the left flank and curled a brilliant strike into the far corner, similar to the late goal he scored against Everton earlier in the week.
Haaland doubled City’s advantage with 15 minutes remaining after scrambling home from close range, before substitute Omar Marmoush added a late third goal to seal an important win for the defending champions.
Despite the defeat, Brentford threatened at several stages of the game. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into action after fumbling a long throw from Michael Kayode, while a dangerous free-kick from Mathias Jensen also tested the Italian shot-stopper.
Donnarumma later reacted sharply to deny Igor Thiago at the near post in the second half, preserving a clean sheet as City secured all three points while Brentford remained eighth on the table.
