Foden scores hat-trick against Brentford

Manchester City moved menacingly into second place in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Liverpool, as Phil Foden’s hat-trick was the catalyst for a convincing win at Brentford.

The hosts actually took the lead through Neal Maupay’s breakaway goal in the 21st minute, but it took a heroic performance from Bees keeper Mark Flekken to keep the reigning champions at bay with a string of stunning saves until Foden struck in first-half stoppage time.

Foden’s goal gave City the added momentum they needed and he grabbed his second eight minutes after the break when he stole in behind Brentford’s defence to glance Kevin de Bruyne’s cross beyond the exposed Flekken.

Brentford, despite being dominated, had fleeting chances to level, especially when Ivan Toney volleyed over from close range, but City were vastly superior and wrapped up the win 20 minutes from time when Foden took Erling Haaland’s pass in his stride to steer the ball past Flekken.

Manchester City may have taken until the closing moments of the first half to finally beat the outstanding Flekken, but it was no more than they deserved for peppering the Brentford goal with shots before making the breakthrough.