Manchester City close down the gap on Arsenal after their heavy 3-0 victory at home against Brentford which delivered a massive three points.
Pep Guardiola’s side are still on course to claim a possible treble or double with them set to play the Emirates FA Cup final against Chelsea.
The afternoon began under a downpour, and for the first 45 minutes, Manchester City found themselves bogged down by more than just the weather.
Despite controlling 61% of possession, the Cityzens struggled to penetrate Brentford’s disciplined 5-3-2 low block.
Brentford, led by the tactical organization of Keith Andrews, nearly stunned the home crowd early in the second half.
In the 55th minute, Igor Thiago was played through by a pinpoint Michael Kayode pass.
The Brazilian striker found himself one-on-one with Gianluigi Donnarumma, but a slight hesitation allowed the City keeper to make a crucial sprawling save.
It was the wake-up call the Etihad needed. The deadlock was finally broken in the 60th minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Jérémy Doku.
After a short corner appeared to have been snuffed out by Mikkel Damsgaard and Mathias Jensen, Doku relentlessly regained possession.
The Belgian winger shimmyed past two defenders before curling a spectacular effort off the far post and into the top corner which made it 1-0.
It was Doku’s third goal in two matches, once again proving his status as City’s most scintillating outlet during the season’s run-in.
With the lead established, City played with renewed fluidity. Phil Foden, introduced from the bench, was twice denied by the heroics of Bees’ goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who finished the match with six saves.
However, even Kelleher couldn’t stop the inevitable Erling Haaland in the 75th minute who made it 2-0. Following a marauding run by Antoine Semenyo down the right flank, a deflected cross fell into the six-yard box.
Facing away from goal, Haaland improvised a remarkable backheel-flick that ricocheted through a thicket of legs and across the line.
The goal was Haaland’s 26th of the Premier League season, extending his lead in the Golden Boot race to four goals over Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
The icing on the cake arrived in stoppage time 90+2. Haaland turned provider, sliding a perfectly weighted ball to Egyptian substitute Omar Marmoush, who finished clinically from a tight angle to make it 3-0.
The match was not without its late-game friction, as veteran Jordan Henderson who was a late substitute for Brentford and City’s Matheus Nunes were both booked following a heated confrontation in the 88th minute.
Manchester City claimed all three important points at home from the 3-0 result against Brentford which puts them back in the title race against Arsenal.
The result heaps immense pressure on Arsenal. If the Gunners slip up at the London Stadium tomorrow, the title will be back in City’s hands.
Manchester City next host Crystal Palace on Wednesday before heading to Wembley for an FA Cup Final showdown against Chelsea.
Brentford will look to bounce back against Crystal Palace on Sunday, May 17, as they aim to secure a top-seven finish.
Pep Guardiola gave his post-match reaction talking about the game and his side chances of winning the Premier League.
Guardiola said: “I don’t know… Arsenal have been at the top of the league almost the whole season and are unbeaten in the Champions League.
“They would have to drop points but it’s not really up to us.
“I think we’ve won everything except Everton in the last 10, 11 games… This team has done what has to be done.
“I don’t have to take a look at the table because I have the table in my head.
“With the points, and the goal difference, and all that.
Guardiola’s men are peaking at the right time, and with Doku and Haaland in this form, the City Juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down as the 2025–26 season reaches its last lap.
