"Manchester City executed the gameplan: secure a win and three points to keep their breath on Arsenal's neck. The clincher arrived via Erling Haaland's 26th Premier League goal as with his side's performance this was hardly pretty but no one in blue cared. Antoine Semenyo marauded down the right, his cross hit at least one Brentford body, the ball came to Haaland who, with a second stab at it, bundled home from close-range, the No 9 facing away from goal."
"Pep Guardiola jumped into the arms of his assistant, Kolo Toure, and City could relax and tune into Arsenal's trip on Sunday to West Ham praying the Irons do them a favour. The deficit is down to two points but each team has played 35 matches so the Gunners cannot be caught if West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace are beaten. Yet City retain hope, and as they did not score until the scintillating Jeremy Doku's solo effort on the hour, will be content. Omar Marmoush wrapped up the scoring in added time."
"Once more they missed the control of Rodri, so meant played in flashes. One came when the menacing Doku muscled into the area along the left and flipped the ball to Haaland: the big No 9 blazed at goal but a deflection, plus Caoimhin Kelleher's hands, saved the visitors. Brentford showed why only one of their last eight in the competition had been a defeats, as they were a blend of competitiveness and pressing that caused City to unload from distance."
"Tijjani Reijnders (twice), Rayan Cherki, Doku, and Bernardo Silva were all thwarted, from range, in a sign of frustration. Brentford could take the contest to them and did, primarily, in a first half passage. This featured Gianluigi Donnarumma flapping at a long throw, the ball bouncing off Matheus Nunes and on to Silva before Nunes hoofed clear. Then, Nunes passed straight to Mikkel Damsgaard and as Guardiola watched dismayed, the Bees broke, but they lacked teeth."
Manchester City secured three points against Brentford after a delayed, uneven performance. Erling Haaland scored his 26th Premier League goal by converting a close-range chance after a second attempt. Jeremy Doku’s solo effort on the hour helped City finally break through, and Omar Marmoush added a late goal in stoppage time. City could then monitor Arsenal’s match against West Ham, with the title race still tight at two points. Brentford pressed effectively and forced City into long-range play, frustrating multiple attempts from Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Doku, and Bernardo Silva. Brentford created moments in the first half but lacked finishing quality.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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