Manchester City kept their Premier League title ambitions alive with a convincing 3-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday, thanks to another standout display from Jeremy Doku.
Pep Guardiola’s side found it difficult to break down Brentford for much of the encounter at the Etihad Stadium, with the visitors frustrating City for nearly an hour.
However, Doku eventually produced a moment of brilliance to put City ahead before Erling Haaland doubled the lead with his 26th league goal of the campaign. Omar Marmoush later sealed the win in stoppage time.
The result moved City within two points of league leaders Arsenal, increasing the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s men ahead of their clash with West Ham on Sunday.
Following Monday’s disappointing 3-3 draw against Everton, which handed Arsenal control of the title race, City responded positively to keep the battle alive.
Although Arsenal remain favourites and can secure their first league crown in 22 years by winning their remaining fixtures against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace, City still have a game in hand after this weekend.
City will next host Crystal Palace on Wednesday before switching focus to the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 16.
Doku looked lively from the opening stages and tested Caoimhin Kelleher early on, while City were fortunate not to concede after Gianluigi Donnarumma almost gifted Brentford a goal with a poor attempt to deal with Michael Kayode’s long throw.
The home side struggled to find rhythm in attack, with Haaland wasting a good headed opportunity from close range before Kelleher denied him again after Doku’s cutback. Nathan Ake also failed to convert the rebound, much to the frustration of the City supporters.
Bernardo Silva was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after clashing with Nathan Collins, while Brentford threatened early in the second half through Igor Thiago, forcing Donnarumma into action.
Guardiola introduced Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden in search of inspiration, and the changes quickly paid off.
Doku, who also scored twice against Everton, finally broke Brentford’s resistance in the 60th minute. After seeing his first effort blocked, the Belgian winger reacted quickest to curl a superb strike into the top corner from inside the area.
The goal continued Doku’s fine form, with four goals in his last three matches, and City almost added another moments later when Foden forced another save from Kelleher.
