Following City’s dramatic 3-3 draw against Everton on Monday, the fate of the PL title race was out of their hands.
But despite the Citizens’ opportunity to put pressure on Arsenal, it was Brentford who had the first notable chance, after a trademark Michael Kayode throw-in caused chaos in the City box. Gianluigi Donnarumma flapped at the ball, but thankfully for the Italian goalkeeper, it was cleared off the line.
It wasn’t until near the midway point of the first half that City finally created a real opportunity, when Monday’s brace scorer at Everton, Jeremy Doku, dazzled down the left flank before his cross into the box was headed high and wide by an unmarked Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian striker seemed to awaken after that, and registered the game’s first shot on target minutes later, after he was picked out from the right wing - this time via Antoine Semenyo’s cross - but his header was comfortably gathered into the chest of Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Brentford stopper barely had time to take stock before he made a brilliant save with his feet just moments later, as Doku cut back to Haaland in the six-yard box, but his sweeping effort was saved.
Keith Andrews’ men weathered the City storm to go into the interval goalless, with boos ringing around the Etihad towards referee Michael Salisbury at the half-time whistle.
Brentford came out with renewed energy following the restart, as Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action to get down low to deny Igor Thiago at his near post, after the Brazilian striker was slipped in by Kayode.
Despite the pressure from the away side, City broke the deadlock with a sublime goal on the hour mark.
In identical circumstances to his second against the Toffees five days ago, Doku collected the ball inside the 18-yard box from the left and took a touch before curling a sublime strike into the far corner.
The visitors had no answer, and any lingering City nerves were eradicated with 15 minutes remaining, when Haaland finally got his goal, bundling in with his heel after Semenyo’s cutback caused chaos in the Bees’ six-yard box.
Only the quick thinking of Kelleher soon after that prevented the game from becoming a rout, as he made a stunning stop to palm the ball over the bar from Phil Foden’s sweeping effort at point-blank range.
Omar Marmoush added a late third after he was slipped in by Haaland, finishing low into the far corner.
With a City win that took some time to arrive, the pressure is once again on Mikel Arteta’s men, who travel to East London tomorrow to face relegation-battling London rivals West Ham, before City then claim their game in hand against Crystal Palace in midweek.
Brentford, meanwhile, remain in contention for a historic place in Europe with two games remaining, as they aim for continental football for the first time in their 134-year existence.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)
