Manchester City faced a surprising setback in their Premier League campaign on Tuesday, surrendering a 2-0 lead to Brentford, resulting in a 2-2 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium. Despite a strong start in the match, where Phil Foden scored twice in quick succession, the four-time defending champions were unable to maintain their advantage as Brentford surged late in the game.
Foden opened the scoring in the 67th minute after Kevin De Bruyne orchestrated the play with a pinpoint cross. The young forward then doubled the lead just minutes later by capitalizing on a rebound from a Savinho effort, suggesting that City would secure a vital three points. However, Brentford responded with a goal from Yoane Wissa in the 82nd minute, before Christian Norgaard completed the comeback by heading in an equalizer in stoppage time.
This result leaves Manchester City with only one win in their last seven away league matches and keeps them in sixth place on the Premier League table with 35 points, now two points behind Chelsea for a top-four position. Pep Guardiola highlighted the impact of several key absences from his squad, including Rodri, John Stones, and Ruben Dias, which contributed to the defensive lapses that ultimately allowed Brentford back into the match.
The match showed that City might still be grappling with the effects of losing influential players since Rodri’s absence due to injury. The team is facing difficulties away from home, which is quite concerning as they aim to reclaim their spot among the league’s elite teams by the season’s end.
Looking ahead, both teams will be eager to bounce back. Brentford will host Liverpool next Sunday, while Manchester City will travel to Ipswich Town for their next match. Despite the recent setbacks, City’s history of bouncing back and strong performances, especially in high-pressure situations, offers hope for a turnaround.
Overall, while the draw is disappointing for City, it provides Brentford with renewed confidence as they capitalize on their home advantage, showcasing their resilience against one of the league’s top teams.