Phil Foden hat-trick hauls Man City inside two factors of Premier League lead

Pep Guardiola stated Phil Foden is having fun with his greatest season at Manchester City after the England worldwide’s hat-trick beat Brentford 3-1 on Monday to depart the Premier League’s prime three separated by simply two factors.

Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates scoring their second goal with Erling Braut Haaland and Julian Alvarez(REUTERS)
Manchester City’s Phil Foden celebrates scoring their second aim with Erling Braut Haaland and Julian Alvarez(REUTERS)

City moved alongside Arsenal on 49 factors, two behind Liverpool, however Guardiola’s males have a sport in hand to maneuver out in entrance.

Discover the joys of cricket like by no means earlier than, completely on HT. Explore now!

The defending champions turned the primary facet in Premier League historical past to win 4 consecutive away video games regardless of falling behind in all of them.

Neal Maupay fired the Bees in entrance in opposition to the run of play, however there was little doubt over the result as soon as Foden levelled in first-half stoppage time.

Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland then teed up the England worldwide to finish his second profession hat-trick after the break.

“He’s a guy with a sense of goal,” stated Guardiola after Foden took his tally for the season to 14.

“I think he is playing his best season since we are together. The incidence of goals and assists, of playing in this central position, are unbelievable.”

City’s rivals for the title could rue not opening up a bonus whereas De Bruyne and Haaland had been sidelined by damage in current months as they appear primed to turn out to be the primary facet to ever win 4 consecutive English top-flight titles.

Flekken impressed

Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken began the night time as statistically the worst goalkeeper within the Premier League for proportion of photographs saved.

However, the Dutchman was in impressed type to frustrate the champions within the opening 45 minutes as he made 9 saves earlier than the break.

Brentford had barely posed any menace earlier than they went in entrance on 21 minutes as City’s run of only one Premier League clear sheet since October goes on.

Flekken bought the help on prime of his heroics on the again as from his goal-kick, Ivan Toney blocked off Nathan Ake, permitting Maupay to run clear and rating for the fifth consecutive sport.

Haaland had an enormous probability to mark his first begin for 2 months with a aim moments later, however couldn’t beat Flekken when despatched clear via on aim.

In whole City had 17 efforts on aim with 10 on the right track within the first half and at last made their remaining one rely.

Ethan Pinnock headed De Bruyne’s cross straight into the trail of Foden, who managed on his chest and swept the ball low into the nook.

Eight minutes into the second interval a De Bruyne supply this time picked out the pinnacle of Foden immediately to go previous Flekken.

Brentford rallied and had their probabilities to get again on stage phrases as Ruben Dias produced a significant block to show Christian Norgaard’s shot behind.

“Those are the chances we need to take if we want to beat them – the best team in the world,” stated Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

“It’s difficult no matter what you do against City. We did a lot of things right and there were key moments where we didn’t have the quality or they showed their quality.”

City made positive of an eleventh victory of their final 12 video games 20 minutes from time.

Haaland could not have gotten his aim, however the Norwegian performed his half with a superbly weighted move for Foden to bear down on aim and slot coolly previous Flekken.

Defeat leaves Brentford nonetheless simply three factors above the relegation zone.

Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Liverpool on Sunday saved the Gunners within the race for his or her first league title in 20 years.

But that end result additionally performed into City’s palms and so they stay the crew to beat because the enterprise finish of the season approaches.

Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com

Rating
( No ratings yet )
Loading...