Arsenal and Liverpool should fear the worst as Man City send title statement
The ominous shadow of the champions chasing history is looming large over this season’s title race.
Manchester City moved up to second, just two points behind Liverpool with a game in hand and, even more frighteningly, are beginning to find their groove. And even more impressively, it was Phil Foden who stepped forward with a magnificent hat trick to underline his brilliant run of form.
Foden was electric, he lit up the game and is now firmly established as a prolific supply line of goals from midfield to go with all his dazzling skill, dribbling and close control. Surely now Foden is also becoming a must-pick for England ahead of this summer’s Euros because he is one of the main driving forces behind City’s push for yet more silverware and records.
It is now nine straight wins in all competitions - including five on the bounce in the Premier League - and their sights are firmly set on rewriting the history books by becoming the first team to win four titles in a row.
The obvious question is: who on earth can stop them? They have the know-how, experience and they have Kevin De Bruyne back, fit-again Erling Haaland started his first game in more than a month and Foden is shaping up to be this season’s key man.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
City’s three goal haul also helped set a new Premier League record for the most goals in a single match round. The four goals at the Brentford Community Stadium took this weekend’s tally up to 45 goals across the ten matches over the weekend which beats the previous best of 44 which was achieved twice, in round two of 2020/21 and round 34 of last season.
And it felt fitting that it was City to push the Premier League over the line because they have been the great entertainers under Pep Guardiola. It would have been even more but for the heroics of Brentford keeper Mark Flekken who made an incredible string of first half saves and provided the assist for the opening goal.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who will the title race this season? Comment below
Phil Foden netted his second-ever Man City hat-trick (Nigel Keene/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)For so long, it looked like Brentford do something remarkable as Flekken almost took on City single-handed until Guardiola’s men took charge. Twice, Flekken denied Julian Alvarez with long range efforts and then somehow kept out Kyle Walker ’s 30 yard piledriver as the Brentford keeper pushed it round for a corner.
Flekken then became goal maker as he provided the first assist by a keeper this season. His long punt forward was straight down the middle, Ivan Toney cleverly backed into Nathan Ake and the ball carried all the way through the middle. Neal Maupay found himself clean through, he looked up and could hardly believe it but he kept his composure and then calmly slotted it past City keeper Ederson. That is now five in five for Maupay.
Flekken kept defying City until finally the visitors scored with their 17th shot on goal in the third minute of first half injury time. De Bruyne’s cross was going nowhere, Ethan Pinnock made a horrible mistake as he headed straight into the path of Foden who lashed home.
Once the seal was broken, other goals were certain to follow. Sure enough, eight minutes into the second half De Bruyne’s floated cross found Foden who then glanced a perfect header into the bottom corner. Brentford did not give up as Christian Norgaard saw an effort heroically blocked by Ruben Dias while Toney slashed another big chance horribly wide.
Then came the decisive third City goal after 70 minutes. Foden swapped passes with Haaland on the edge of the box, the Norway striker provided the assist and there was Foden onto the return and he then slotted home.
It was a lovely way to complete a much deserved City win and you can bet that Liverpool, Arsenal and the rest will be fearing the worst.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
