Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates after scoring a hat-trick in the Premier League match against Brentford at Brentford Community Stadium on February 5, 2024 (Photo: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
- Manchester City beat Brentford 3-1 in the Premier League, with Phil Foden scoring a hat-trick.
- The victory moved City within two points of leaders Liverpool.
- But the Manchester club still has a game in hand.
- For more sports news, News 24 Sports cover.
Pep Guardiola has announced that England's Phil Foden will score a hat-trick on Monday after the defender beat Brentford 3-1, leaving them two points clear of the top three in the Premier League. He said he is enjoying a great season with Manchester City.
premier league log
City are level with Arsenal on 49 points, two behind Liverpool, but Guardiola's side have a game in hand to go top of the table.
The defending champions became the first team in Premier League history to win four consecutive away games despite being on the back foot in every game.
Neal Maupay put the Bees ahead in the dying minutes, but there was little doubt about the result when Foden equalized in first-half stoppage time.
Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland then inspired the England players to score their second career hat-trick after the break.
“He's a guy with a sense of goal,” Guardiola said after Foden took his season tally to 14 goals.
“I think he's having his best season since we've been together. His goal and assist rate by playing in this central position is incredible.”
With De Bruyne and Haaland out injured in recent months, City's title rivals have been unable to build on their advantage as they look set to become the first side to win four consecutive titles in England's top flight. You may feel sorry for that.
Inspired by Frekken
Brentford goalkeeper Mark Frecken started the night as statistically the goalkeeper with the worst shot save percentage in the Premier League.
However, the Dutchman was in good form in the opening 45 minutes, making nine saves before the break to frustrate the champions.
Brentford posed little threat but before taking the lead in the 21st minute, City had kept just one clean sheet in the Premier League since October.
In addition to his heroics from goal kicks, Frecken also allowed Ivan Toney to block Nathan Ake from a goal kick and Maupay ran through, allowing him to score for the fifth game in a row.
Haaland had a great chance to mark his first start in two months with a goal shortly after, but could not beat Frecken, who had a clean through on goal.
City had a total of 17 shots on goal, 10 of which were on target in the first half, before finally making it to the final count.
Ethan Pinnock headed De Bruyne's cross straight into the path of Foden. Foden controlled with his chest and slotted the ball low into the corner.
Eight minutes into the second period, De Bruyne's shot bounced directly off Foden's head and past Frecken.
Brentford fought back and had a chance to equalize when Ruben Dias produced a vital block to turn Christian Norgaard's shot over.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank said: “If we want to beat them, they're the best team in the world, we need to take these chances.''
“It's difficult to do anything against City. We did a lot of things right, but the important moments were either we didn't have quality or they showed quality.”
City secured their 11th win in their last 12 games with 20 minutes remaining.
Haaland may not have scored, but the Norwegian did his part with a perfectly weighted pass that calmly slotted past Frekken as Foden closed in on goal.
The defeat means Brentford remain just three points clear of the relegation zone.
Arsenal beat Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday, keeping the Gunners in the race for their first league title in 20 years.
However, this result has had an impact on City, who remain the team to beat even as the season draws to a close.