Jeremy Doku drives Man City’s title challenge and inspires win over Brentford
The winger scored his fifth goal in six games before Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush wrapped up a victory at the Etihad Stadium that cut Arsenal’s advantage at the top to two points.
Both contenders now have three games to play, with Arsenal the next in action at relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday.
Doku is the main man
Jeremy Doku has scored in three successive appearances in all competitions for the first time in his Manchester City career.
The Belgian has seven goal involvements in his last six games (5 goals, 2 assists), as many as in his previous 24 (1 goal, 6 assists).
All three of Doku’s goals this week have either put City one goal in front (2) or drawn them level (1).
More from Haaland:
“I haven’t thought of any other game. Just tired playing this game.
“How we approach the next game is not think of any other games for two days and then try to win the next game. Recover. Then next game and the same again.
“If you play for Manchester City, you think of titles every single day.”
Reaction from Erling Haaland:
“It feels good to win 3-0. We just missed the last shot on goal today. We created a lot of chances and didn’t get the last shot on a lot of crosses.
“Brentford defended well. They are a good team. There are no easy games in the Premier League. So we are happy.”
Brentford slip to eighth
That loss could be crucial for Brentford’s hopes of reaching Europe.
They’ve now slipped down to eighth in the table with Brighton, who defeated Wolves today, now above them in seventh.
The Bees are also four points off sixth place with only two games remaining so this battle for the European spots will go down to the wire.
Full-time! Man City 3-0 Brentford
90+6 mins: Three goals in the second half is more than enough to secure the points for Manchester City who draw within two of leaders Arsenal.
The pressure moves onto the Gunners for their meeting with West Ham tomorrow.
City are just one goal behind on goal difference as well. The title race is very much alive.
GOAL! Man City 3-0 Brentford (Omar Marmoush, 90+2′)
That could be huge!
Haaland slips a pass in behind the Brentford defence and into the path of Marmoush.
He takes a touch then rolls the ball into the bottom left hand corner!
City have a third.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
88 mins: Brentford haven’t offered much up top today. They worked hard early on and have had a couple of decent chances but too much play has been dictated by Man City.
It’s usually like this at the Etihad but Keith Andrews will be disappointed regardless.
The Bees started this match like they believed they could get something from it.
It looks unlikely now.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
85 mins: Man City are cruising towards the end of this game now.
Goal difference may yet play at part in deciding the Premier League title so City will want to score as many as they can before full time.
