Manchester City continue their unbeaten streak in the Premier League. Against promoted FC Brentford, the current champions were in control at all times.
From kick-off, the expected picture emerged: Brentford formed a 5-3-2 deep in their own penalty area, while ManCity played their usual combination game. The Citizens, unbeaten in the league since October 2021, struggled for a long time to create dangerous chances from the constant pressure. Time and again, crosses flew into the Bees’ penalty area, with Christian Eriksen not yet in the squad.
It took 33 minutes before City had their first really dangerous shot on goal, but Sterling’s side-footed shot from a few yards out was over the top. Laporte then shot just wide of the right-hand post from 13 yards (35), but it was Mahrez who finally took the lead on 40 minutes: the Algerian converted a penalty kick after Rasmussen had clumsily fouled Sterling in the box.
Sterling fails, De Bruyne is pleased
After the restart, the Citizens took it a little easier, but were still dominant. Only Joao Cancelo was dangerous at first – first with a long shot (50th), then after a nice dribble (55th). City could not come up with anything else, Brentford rarely had any problems defensively. But the Bees did not manage anything offensively either – and then the keeper Raya made a mistake: The Spaniard played the ball into Sterling’s foot, but initially decided the one-on-one in his favour. However, the rebound fell to De Bruyne, who scored accurately down the right – the Belgian’s 14th goal in his last 13 matches against a promoted team.
The Skyblues controlled the 2-0 lead in the closing stages to secure their 19th league win. On Saturday (18.30), the reigning English champions face the next promoted team, Gündogan & Co. have to go to Norwich.
