Manchester City extend their lead eight points at the top of the Premier League with a crucial 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday.
Brentford look the game to Manchester City in the early exchanges and the pressure nearly came off. But Ederson showed brilliant reflexes to keep out Yoane Wissa’s deflected cross before it was cleared off the line by Joao Cancelo.
To Brentford’s expense, Manchester City broke forward immediately on a counter-attack and scored the first goal of the game. Foden scored from point-blank range from an inch-perfect first-time cross from Kevin De Bruyne. Phil Foden scored again in the second half from Gabriel Jesus’s whipped cross. But the goal was ruled out for offside. City looked in control and took home the three points.
With this win Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City establish an eight-point gap at the top of the table going into the new year. Both the title contender dropped valuable points. Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hand of Leicester City. While Chelsea conceded a late equalizer and only managed a 1-1 draw against Brighton.
Manchester City player ratings vs Brentford
Ederson – 6
Ederson made an early save to keep the game level at 0-0. He was majorly untroubled and ended the game with three saves to his name.
Joao Cancelo – 7
Another impressive display by the Portuguese international. Cancelo made five ball recoveries and one key pass.
Ruben Dias – 6
Dias looked quite shaky and off the pace in the game. He also nearly scored an own goal and a poor game overall.
Aymeric Laporte – 7
The centre-back completed all 61 passes he attempted on the night. Laporte scored a header late on in the game to settle the clash. But was ruled out by VAR.
Nathan Ake – 7
Ake did not look out of place starting in the unfamiliar left-back position. He made some good recovery tackles and won four of his six aerial duels.
Fernandinho – 7
Mopped up brilliantly behind the City attack and provided some good cover to the back four.
Bernardo Silva – 6
Silva liked up play pretty well and found good pockets of space in the attacking third. But failed to register a single attempt on goal.
Kevin De Bruyne – 8
Gabriel Jesus – 6
The Belgium midfielder looked positive from the start of the game. He also provided the assist for the Foden game.
Showed some clever movement but was majorly ineffective against the Brentford backline.
Phil Foden – 8
Also making a return to the starting line-up. But Foden scored the only goal of the game and looked like a constant threat for the Brentford backline.
Jack Grealish – 5
Making a return to the starting line-up, Grealish had an off day. The club-record signing did not register a single cross or attempt on goal in the entire match.
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