This was billed as Erling Haaland’s big return to Manchester City’s starting XI. Perhaps there could be a clash with Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who has regrouped after a long spell on the sidelines following the betting ban.
For a while there was a chance they could leave them both behind, with Neal Maupay giving Brentford a shock lead midway through the first half, made memorable by Mark Flekken’s challenge on the home goal. But ultimately this was about another offensive player whose talent seems utterly irresistible on nights like this.
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Following Liverpool’s defeat against Arsenal on Sunday, the Premier League title returned to City’s hands; exactly where they want. Phil Foden had the ball at his feet in front of goal, at one point he even had his head in and that’s exactly where he wanted it.
Foden hasn’t scored many goals with his head but he did it here to put City 2-1 ahead. He had got the equalizer (chest, bounce and finish) and saved the best for his hat-trick, there was a blast as Haaland left the game, every touch was perfect and didn’t give anyone around the slightest sniff.
City are on an inauspicious run, having won all seven of their matches since coming home victorious from the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. No one could stop Foden in the red and white team of Brentford, who made a double against City last season. Is there anyone who can do the same with their team? The question is asked with increasing force.
Pep Guardiola was cautious. He didn’t need to watch the pre-match montage on the big screen to remember what happened last season. Haaland’s return to the team was irresistible and for the first time since the opening game of the league season, Pep Guardiola was able to coach both Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
Brentford’s recent poor form has been well documented and they felt City’s burn early on, with Flekken warned he could be in for a busy evening. He made three good saves in the first 15 minutes; two were to thwart Julian Álvarez, whom Guardiola started in a midfield role behind Haaland. De Bruyne had a similar statement and took it very literally.
Flekken also blocked Kyle Walker’s overhead kick, and those in front of him put their bodies on the line to create blocks; A block from Ethan Pinnock was especially meant to deny Haaland in the vital seven minutes. Flekken could do no wrong and that feeling was further intensified when his long ball fell to the ground as the assist for the breakthrough goal. Call it a bolt on sky blues because it’s stunning. Perhaps the real assist should have been given to Ivan Toney after he made a basketball-style screen on Nathan Aké; This allowed Flekken to continue his run to Maupay, who passed Ederson with minimal fuss.
Maupay seems to enjoy neutralizing his opponents. He collided with Rúben Dias at a defensive corner and was given a yellow card for his late tackle on Rodri. But no one can say that it wasn’t in flames in front of the goal. He scored a goal in his last five matches.
The first half became a mini-epic for Flekken as his save total reached eight, including his clumsy save from around Foden’s post in the 44th minute. Even though it didn’t go as planned, somehow it did. Special mention also goes to his one-on-one save against Haaland and his move to the right to keep Josko Gvardiol out.
There were plenty of near-misses for City, including Bernardo Silva hitting Mads Roerslev and flying towards goal, but Flekken was unable to keep a clean sheet at the break. It would be too much.
Brentford had threatened in the first half when Ederson cleared Sergio Reguilón’s cross shot, and Dias had to make a crucial intervention to block Vitaly Janelt after Ederson came off his line. But Foden eventually restored parity after Pinnock had cleared a poor De Bruyne cross.
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Brentford worked tirelessly for each other in a 3-5-2 formation, often similar to 5-3-2, and they believed they could hurt City. There was always the possibility of getting something through a fixed piece. But with this City team it can feel cruel and inevitable. Most of their matches are David vs. Goliath.
They took the lead in the 53rd minute and after all the resistance from Brentford it was another soft concession. Foden evaded Reguilón when De Bruyne controlled from inside left position. The cross was made to measure; The unmarked Foden flexed his neck muscles to create power and accuracy for his header. Should Flekken have been tougher on this issue? It seemed rude to ask after his heroics in the first half.
Brentford refused to stop believing. They created equal opportunity. Christian Nørgaard was denied by a big block from Dias, Maupay was denied by another from Gvardiol, while Toney volleyed too much from the side when in a good position. Foden was not wrong about the hat-trick opportunity.