Manchester City closed the gap to leaders Liverpool thanks to a 3-1 win over Brentford on Monday night.
The champions lost home and away to the Bees last season and the same appeared to potentially be on the cards at the end of an opening 45 minutes that City dominated but couldn’t find a way past opposition goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Yet, Foden netted on the stroke of half-time and grabbed another two after the break to complete a hat-trick on a night City dominated and managed 15 shots across the 90 minutes and amassed 73 percent possession.
Pep Guardiola handed Erling Haaland a first start in nearly two months, while he fielded an attacking line-up that featured Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez, Foden and Bernardo Silva. And the fluid front five caused Brentford real issues in the early stages as Haaland’s shot was blocked by Ethan Pinnock, while Flekken twice pushed away curling efforts from Alvarez and then a powerful Kyle Walker strike from distance.
It was a busy start for the Dutch keeper, but his biggest contribution came with his feet rather than his hands, as his long goal-kick downfield bypassed Nathan Ake - who was held off by Ivan Toney - and the ball ran through for Neal Maupay to race clear in behind. The Frenchman drove towards the City goal and then coolly slotted the ball beyond Ederson to give the hosts the lead against the run of play.
The setback didn’t deter City, with Flekken the game’s busiest player. The Brentford no.1 kept out Haaland’s one-on-one chance and shots from Josko Gvardiol and De Bruyne, while there was a hint of fortune when a spilled effort from Foden rolled wide.
This was a battling, dogged display that Brentford have become associated with, but they carried a threat at the other end. Sergio Reguilon’s cross forced Ederson to palm the ball wide, not long before the on-loan defender saw an effort blocked with the City keeper way off his line.
As the first half neared its conclusion, the fourth official held his board aloft to indicate three minutes remained. And after 47 minutes of committed defending a mistake proved costly in the final knockings of the opening half. De Bruyne’s cross wasn’t dealt with effectively by Pinnock and his scruffy header fell invitingly into Foden’s path. The 23-year-old controlled on his chest and fired past Flekken to draw the contest level at the break.
It was a similar story at the start of the second period as De Bruyne’s excellent curled cross picked out Foden in the box, and his faint header guided the ball into the bottom corner and handed City a deserved lead.
Brentford responded well with Mads Roerslev firing wide on the break while Ruben Dias and Gvardiol blocked shots from Christian Norgaard and Maupay respectively. Toney also volleyed over and that flurry of missed chances came back to bite Brentford late on as Foden grabbed his hat-trick.
With 70 minutes remaining, Rodri rolled the ball into Haaland’s path and the Norwegian no.9 nonchalantly teed up Foden, who strolled into the Brentford box and passed into the Brentford net to grab a second hat-trick of his career.
It was a relatively mundane ending as City comfortably stroked the ball around, and an exhausted Brentford breathless trailed after the sky blue jerseys. Alvarez did force Flekken into one last save in the 85th minute as he swivelled and shot on target.
But the win sees City move to within two points of leaders Liverpool and they have a game in hand on Jurgen Klopp's Red. Here's how we rated the players...
1. Ederson- 5
Had a few shaky moments coming off his line, but Ederson made some decent saves to keep the score at 1-0.
2. Kyle Walker- 6
Had to sprint back on several occasions to deal with Brentford attacks. Walker also had an ongoing row with Maupay that resulted in referee Jarred Gillett having a word with the City no.2.
3. Ruben Dias- 8
Made some important blocks and tackles in a good performance at the back. Snuffing out Norgaard's shot just after City took the lead was an important moment in the game.
4. Nathan Ake- 6
Looked calm in defence but was pinned too easily by Toney for the Brentford goal.