Brentford vs Man City LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Phil Foden hat-trick completes comeback win

Manchester City came from behind to end their recent hoodoo against Brentford with a comfortable 3-1 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium. The Bees, who won both of their clashes against City last season, started well attacking with pace and threatening Ederson’s goal.

At the other end of the pitch, they were aided by the unbeatable Mark Flekken. The goalkeeper made nine saves in the first half before pumping a long ball forward and suppling the assist for the opening goal. Ivan Toney held off his marker to allow the ball to bounce through to Neal Maupay. Maupay collected and slotted home a fine finish.

Going behind spurred City on, Phil Foden brought down Ethan Pinnock’s poor clearance to equalise on the stroke of half-time before meeting a perfect cross from Kevin De Bruyne and nodding City ahead just after the break.

He completed his hat-trick after a slick assist from Erling Haaland and the third goal ensured City were in no danger of losing their lead.

Relive the action with our live blog below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:

Brentford vs Man City LIVE

• Phil Foden’s perfect hat-trick shows why Man City are about to ease clear in the title race

• Manchester City come from behind to defeat Brentford in the Premier League

• 70’ GOAL! - Foden completes his hat-trick (BRE 1-3 MCI)

• 53’ GOAL! - Foden meets De Bruyne’s cross and nods home (BRE 1-2 MCI)

• 45+3’ GOAL! - Foden takes advantage of Pinnock’s mistake to tap home the equaliser (BRE 1-1 MCI)

• 23’ SAVE! - Flekken deflects Haaland’s shot (BRE 1-0 MCI)

• 21’ GOAL! - A long ball gets Maupay in behind for a cool finish past Ederson (BRE 1-0 MCI)

• 15’ CLOSE! - Walker’s long range effort palmed wide by Flekken (BRE 0-0 MCI)

Brentford FC 1 - 3 Manchester City FC

Phil Foden’s perfect hat-trick shows why Man City are about to ease clear in the title race

22:17 , Mike Jones

After finishes with the right foot and the head, it was the trusted left that delivered the final blow. On the night where Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were reunited in Manchester City’s attack, a perfect hat-trick from Phil Foden brought the champions to within two points of leaders Liverpool as Pep Guardiola’s side completed another away comeback in the Premier League. City will return top if they win their game in hand - which is also against Brentford, and after breaking the spell that Thomas Frank’s side held over them last season, the champions have another reason to be encouraged as they threaten to ease away in the title race.

Brentford were the only team to do the double over City last campaign - Guardiola has never lost to the same opposition three times in a row in the league, but Neal Maupay’s opener may have had the Catalan thinking that Frank was about to repeat his trick. For a fourth away game in a row in the Premier League, City trailed.

But like at Newcastle, Everton and Luton, the champions came from behind to win. A double from Foden either side of half time turned the match around and broke Brentford’s resilience. An inspired performance from goalkeeper Mark Flekken, which in the first half included nine saves and a long-range assist for Maupay’s opener, was quickly undone by Foden’s pair of instinctive finishes.

Phil Foden’s perfect hat-trick shows why Man City are about to ease clear

Brentford boss Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC Sport:

22:32 , Mike Jones

“We gave it a very good go. I thought it was a very good performance. I thought we were brave and defended very well against the best team in the world. We limited them to shots outside the box in the first half. The goal before half time was a tough one to take.

“Second half, we continued and we knew De Bruyne was the key player to close down but he found that magic pass. Some of the things were good but when you face the best team in the world, you need to be perfect.

“We know that we can get a win against any team in the division, we’ve shown it before. We’ve had good games against City and Tottenham. The performances have been good, we’ve got key players back and I see it as a matter of time before the points come.”

More from Foden who told Sky Sports:

22:30 , Mike Jones

“I’m a person that adapts and plays a lot of positions when needed. I know I will do that with Manchester City and have to be ready. I’m enjoying playing in the middle and that’s where I see myself. Hopefully I can get more game time playing there.

“The [first] goal came at a great time, going into the break equalising gives you a good feeling going into the second half. It’s so difficult here, they have given big teams problems but I thought we deserved it.

“All I set myself it try to better last year’s stats and just try to improve every year, more goals and more assists. I need to keep going and showing this level of performance more often. I don’t score a lot of headers so I’m delighted with that one.”

Phil Foden talking to Sky Sports:

22:27 , Mike Jones

“We know the quality they have. [Ivan] Toney is one of the best in winning aerial duels, we knew the threat he would have. They are a fantastic team and we had to react and we did that well and I’m delighted with the outcome of the game.

“We stayed calm and we’re a team that trusts our ability. There were ups and downs but we had to remain patient. They closed the spaces but we remained patient, controlled the game and created chances, which was nice to see.

“I’m really glad with my performances and am playing a lot of minutes inside, where I want to be, and I’m delighted with the way I’m playing. I’m playing the best form I’ve had in a City shirt consistently for a long time and long may that continue and I will keep working hard on the training ground.”

FT Brentford 1-3 Man City

22:17 , Mike Jones

Man City have won their last five games in the Premier League, their last longer winning streak was from 11 August, 2023 to 23 September, 2023, a run of six games.

FT Brentford 1-3 Man City

22:13 , Mike Jones

Manchester City have won 17 points from losing positions in the league this season, only Liverpool (19) have recovered more.

FT Brentford 1-3 Man City

22:09 , Mike Jones

Brentford have lost 26 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other team. They are three points above the relegation and in dire need of a win.

FT Brentford 1-3 Man City

22:05 , Mike Jones

Phil Foden scored his second Premier League hat-trick tonight with his three goals.

The Manchester City midfielder inspired a comeback from the champions who came from a goal down to defeat Thomas Frank’s Brentford.

FT Brentford 1-3 Man City

22:01 , Mike Jones

Full-time! Brentford 1-3 Man City

21:56 , Mike Jones

90+5 mins: Man City secure the points.

It’s another Premier League win for Pep Guardiola’s men who came from behind to defeat Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

They’re the only team with a100% win record since Christmas.

Brentford 1-3 Man City

21:50 , Mike Jones

90 mins: Five minutes off added time to play at the end of this match. Jeremy Doku is brought down over on the right wing and City have a free kick.

It’s taken short with the visitors content to maintain possession.

Brentford 1-3 Man City

21:47 , Mike Jones

87 mins: Erling Haaland’s night is over and he’s given a good round of applause from the travelling fans. Mateo Kovacic comes on to replace him for the final few minutes.

Brentford 1-3 Man City

21:44 , Mike Jones

84 mins: Haaland is searching for a goal. A long throw in from Gvardiol picks him out inside the box. He swivels and pulls the ball back but Mee is there to clear.

The loose ball comes to Alvarez who gets off a shot but misses the target.

Brentford 1-3 Man City

21:40 , Mike Jones

81 mins: Into the last 10 minutes of so of this one. Manchester City have a comfortable lead but Brentford have some fresh legs on the pitch and are putting a bit of pressure on the City defence.

Ederson comes out of the box and barges into Nathan Ake and Ethan Pinnock as a Brentford cross comes in. It’s a clear foul but VAR doesn’t look at the incident as it’s outside the area.

Brentford 1-3 Man City

21:38 , Mike Jones

79 mins: Thomas Frank’s response is to make a triple change with Keane Lewis-Potter, Mikkel Damsgaard and Yegor Yarmoliuk all coming on to replace Mads Roerslev, Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt.

Can the substitutes change the course of this match?

Brentford 1-3 Man City

21:36 , Mike Jones

76 mins: Jeremy Doku has been introduced for Manchester City in place of Bernardo Silva. Not the sight you want to see when you’re trailing against the Premier League champions.

Brentford 1-3 Man City

21:33 , Mike Jones

73 mins: Brentford’s task is now huge. They need to pull two goals back without conceding another. They’ve had some impressive spells but not enough to really force Manchester City to adapt their own style of play.

GOAL! Brentford 1-3 Man City (Foden, 70’)⚽️

21:31 , Mike Jones

70 mins: This is delightful!

Rodri drills a pass up the pitch to Erling Haaland who has his back to goal. He rolls it off to the right where Phil Foden comes storming through.

He touches the ball into the box then slots it into the near bottom corner. Hat-trick for the England man!

Brentford 1-2 Man City

21:29 , Mike Jones

69 mins: Man City come close to a third as Josko Gvardiol dinks a nice cross into the penalty area for Erling Haaland. The ball just skims the top of his head and gets cleared away.

Brentford 1-2 Man City

21:26 , Mike Jones

66 mins: Christian Norgaard is giving it a go at scoring for Brentford. He’s had a couple of shots from the edge of the box blocked and deflected away.

Brentford aren’t being shy in front of goal. They are causing a few problems now.

Brentford 1-2 Man City

21:24 , Mike Jones

63 mins: Good pressure from Brentford who attack through Ivan Toney. He shoots and the hosts win a corner. There’s a scramble in the area but not much comes from it and City take back control.

Brentford 1-2 Man City

21:21 , Mike Jones

60 mins: Thomas Frank looked a bit annoyed after that second City goal went in. Perhaps the Brentford boss thought it was a bit soft to concede in that way but the pass was perfect from De Bruyne.

Brentford aren’t out of this match yet but it’ll be a big ask to score past City again.

Brentford 1-2 Man City

21:16 , Mike Jones

56 mins: Good response!

Sergio Reguilon whips a tantilising pass into the box from the left side and almost finds Ivan Toney but for the toes of Nathan Ake. The ball bobbles through to Mads Roerslev who runs onto a first time shot and pings it over the crossbar!

GOAL! Brentford 1-2 Man City (Foden, 53’)⚽️

21:14 , Mike Jones

53 mins: City take the lead!

Kevin De Bruyne receives the ball on the left side of the pitch and spots Phil Foden inside the penalty area. Foden calls for the ball and waits for the midfielder to deliver it pinpoint onto his head.

He whips the ball into the near corner and sends City in front for the first time in the match.

Brentford 1-1 Man City

21:11 , Mike Jones

51 mins: Julian Alvarez looks to release Erling Haaland in behind but Ben Mee makes the interception. He then pings a forward pass up to Ivan Toney who collects the ball and shuffles over to the right side of the box.

Toney’s in space but City are quick to respond and crowd him out before he can take a shot.

Brentford 1-1 Man City

21:07 , Mike Jones

48 mins: City are picking up where they’ve left off in the first half. Kyle Walker brings the ball down the right and puts in an early cross.

Ben Mee leaps high and nods the ball clear for the hosts.

Second half! Brentford 1-1 Man City

21:05 , Mike Jones

Brentford get the ball rolling for the second half. As it stands its a level contest but Manchester City have been the dominant force. Can the Bees find a way of getting themselves back into the lead?

Man City set to sign Brazilian winger Savio from affiliate City Football Group club

21:03 , Mike Jones

Manchester City are interested in signing the Brazilian winger Savio, who has helped Girona launch a surprise title tilt in LaLiga this season.

No deal has been agreed but the teenager is on loan from Troyes, another club in the City Football Group, which could make it easier to conclude a transfer.

Savio has never actually played for Troyes, being bought for an initial €6.5m in 2022 but spending last season on loan with PSV Eindhoven and then joining Girona for the current campaign.

Man City set to sign Brazilian winger Savio from affiliate club

HT Brentford 1-1 Man City

21:02 , Mike Jones

Neal Maupay has scored in each of his last five appearances for Brentford in all competitions, his longest ever scoring run for an English side.

HT Brentford 1-1 Man City

20:58 , Mike Jones

Mark Flekken is the first goalkeeper to provide an assist in the Premier League this season.

Indeed, two of the last four instances of a keeper assisting in the competition have come against Manchester City (also Alisson for Liverpool in October 2022).

HT Brentford 1-1 Man City

20:54 , Mike Jones

Half-time! Brentford 1-1 Man City

20:50 , Mike Jones

45+4 mins: Brentford took the lead, kept it due to Mark Flekken’s impressive display in goal but Phil Foden finally broke the Bees resistance on the stroke of half-time.

Can Brentford bounce back in the second half or will City storm to victory?

GOAL! Brentford 1-1 Man City (Foden, 45+3’)⚽️

20:49 , Mike Jones

45+3 mins: Flekken is beaten!

A poor headed clearance from Ethan Pinnock sees the defender just nod to the ball to Phil Foden who is part of Man City’s high press.

Foden has plenty of time, he chests the ball down then slots it into the back of the net. City have their goal.

Brentford 1-0 Man City

20:46 , Mike Jones

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play. Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva both take shots from the edge of the box but neither of them beats Mark Flekken.

Brentford 1-0 Man City

20:42 , Mike Jones

42 mins: Brentford have a good few minutes in piling the pressure on Man City. It’s a nice reminder that the visitors won’t just have everything their way in this match.

Pep Guardiola’s men will continue to push for an equaliser though, three minutes plus added time to play until the break.

Brentford 1-0 Man City

20:39 , Mike Jones

39 mins: The corner ball is whipped into the box and comes to Ivan Toney. He gets a flick on but hits the nearest defender and the ball bounces out for another corner.

Sergio Reguilon plays it short to Mathias Jensen then gets it back. He delivers a decent cross but Ederson awkwardly pushes it away to the right.

Brentford 1-0 Man City

20:37 , Mike Jones

37 mins: After a bit of treatment, Janelt hobbles back onto the pitch for Brentford. The Bees are causing a few issues with their long balls as City seem intent to keep a high line.

Ederson punts the ball out of play to afford Brentford some possession inside the final third. Mathias Jensen flings a long throw into the penalty area and Rodri knocks it behind for a corner.

Brentford 1-0 Man City

20:35 , Mike Jones

35 mins: The Man City players are booed by the home crowd after playing on following a heavy tackle on Vitaly Janelt. Bernardo Silva makes the tackle then sweeps up the pitch.

He receives the ball on the right side of the box and belts a shot over the top of the crossbar!

Brentford 1-0 Man City

20:33 , Mike Jones

32 mins: Kevin De Bruyne looks ping a corner ball to the edge of the area but Brentford easily clear the danger once more.

It’s been a decent defensive showing from Thomas Frank’s men so far but how long can they hold out?

Brentford 1-0 Man City

20:29 , Mike Jones

29 mins: There’s been a visible increase in tempo and intensity from Man City. More crosses are coming into the box, more runs are being made, the defenders are pushing slightly higher.

Brentford need to weather this storm for a few minutes.

Brentford 1-0 Man City

20:27 , Mike Jones

26 mins: Save! Mark Flekken is having a blinder!

Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne link up to get the ball into the box before Walker passes it back across the box. The ball comes to the feet of Josko Gvardiol who nails a shot at goal and forces yet another leaping stop out of the Brentford goalkeeper.

Brentford 1-0 Man City

20:24 , Mike Jones

23 mins: Chance!

Brentford give the ball away with a poor pass back for Nathan Collins. Erling Haaland latches onto the loose ball, carries it into the box and shoots but Mark Flekken sticks out a leg and deflects the ball wide.

Huge save, huge moment!

GOAL! Brentford 1-0 Man City (Maupay, 21’)⚽️

20:22 , Mike Jones

21 mins: Brentford strike first!

A long ball looks to be heading for Ivan Toney but the forward leaves the ball alone and let’s it bounce through to Neal Maupay who makes a run in behind the lines.

He collects the ball, dribbles into the box then slots it perfectly underneath Ederson to open the scoring!

Brentford 0-0 Man City

20:20 , Mike Jones

18 mins: There’s been a few moments of joy for Brentford on the counter attack but for the most part they’ve been made to work hard defensively.

Walker flicks a pass into the box that gets nodded as far as De Bruyne. He weaves into space and lifts a cross over to Haaland who is marked by two defenders and the ball is played out for a corner.

Brentford 0-0 Man City

20:15 , Mike Jones

15 mins: Close!

Julian Alvarez forces a save out of the Brentford goalkeeper as Man City look to pile the pressure on. They recover the ball high up the pitch and slip it to Kyle Walker.

He’s wide open a long way out from goal but decides to strike one. It’s a solid shot but Mark Flekken leaps to the right and pushes the ball wide of the target again.

Brentford 0-0 Man City

20:14 , Mike Jones

12 mins: Offside!

A slick move in the middle of the pitch sees the Bees slip Ivan Toney in behind the City defence. He carries the ball into the penalty area then shoots from the left side of the box.

Ederson closes him down, cuts off the angle to the near post and keeps the ball out before the offside flag goes up.

Brentford 0-0 Man City

20:12 , Mike Jones

9 mins: From a Manchester City corner, Nathan Collins aggressively takes out Ruben Dias and the visitors want a penalty that the referee turns down as the ball heads out for another set piece.

VAR doesn’t over turn the decision and Brentford handle the next corner without too much trouble.

Brentford 0-0 Man City

20:08 , Mike Jones

6 mins: Man City break quickly down the right wing with Kyle Walker feeding Kevin De Bruyne. He gives the ball to Bernardo Silva and carries on his run before receiving the ball back inside the box.

Phil Foden and Erling Haaland are on hand and waiting for the pass but De Bruyne’s cross ends up in the hands of Mark Flekken.

Brentford 0-0 Man City

20:04 , Mike Jones

3 mins: Brentford clear their lines wonderfully and work the ball down the right wing for Ivan Toney. He flies forward and picks out Neal Maupay inside the box.

Rodri tracks back to dispossess the Bees forward but Brentford recover the ball quickly and give it back to Toney who’s stayed out wide.

His next cross is an awkward one for Ruben Dias who manages to nod it out of play.

Great pressure early on from the home side.

Kick off! Brentford 0-0 Man City

20:01 , Mike Jones

Julian Alvarez gets the match underway and City pump the ball over to the right side of the pitch. Erling Haaland attempts to win the ball in the air but Brentford hold firm and slot the ball away safely.

Brentford vs Man City

19:57 , Mike Jones

Here come the players.

Manchester City know they can take a huge step towards regaining their title if they win tonight but Brentford have been one of their bogey teams in recent times.

Can the Bees defeat Pep Guardiola’s men again or will City close the gap on Liverpool?

Kick off is up next...

Pre-match thoughts from Pep Guardiola

19:54 , Mike Jones

The Manchester City boss addressed what it’s been like to face Brentford in recent times as the Bees have won the last two clashes.

Guardiola said: “We know in the past how difficult it has been. It was always tight when we won and [then] when we lost the two games last season.

“They are a difficult team for the way they play and the standards that they have. The manager is good. The club rely on him for many years. Everyone who comes knows exactly what they have to do.”

Brentford vs Man City

19:50 , Mike Jones

Brentford are the only one of the 21 Premier League sides that Erling Haaland has faced that he has not scored against. Will he have a point to prove tonight?

Brentford vs Man City

19:45 , Mike Jones

Kevin De Bruyne has scored a goal and provided four assists in his 199 minutes of action in all competitions this season.

Since the start of last season, De Bruyne has provided 32 assists in all competitions, at least eight more than any other Premier League player.

Brentford vs Man City

19:40 , Mike Jones

Ivan Toney has scored in each of his last four Premier League home appearances. The forward has also found the back of the net in both of his league outings since returning to the team following a gambling ban.

Brentford vs Man City

19:35 , Mike Jones

Julian Alvarez, the only player to have started all 21 of Manchester City’s Premier League games this season, has scored seven goals in his last seven outings in all competitions.

Brentford vs Man City

19:30 , Mike Jones

Manchester City are unbeaten in all 11 Monday Premier League fixtures under Pep Guardiola with nine wins and two draws.

Guardiola has never lost three consecutive top-flight meetings against the same opponent and Brentford have won the previous two league encounters with City.

Pep Guardiola wary of ‘exceptional’ Ivan Toney as Manchester City face Brentford

19:25 , Mike Jones

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City are coming up against an “exceptional player” in Ivan Toney as they travel to Brentford on Monday.

Toney, who scored twice when the Bees won at the Etihad Stadium last season, recently returned to action after serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting regulations.

The 27-year-old forward has struck in both appearances since completing his suspension and Guardiola is pleased to see such talent back on the field.

Pep Guardiola wary of ‘exceptional’ Ivan Toney as Manchester City face Brentford

Brentford vs Man City

19:20 , Mike Jones

Brentford have lost a league-high 23 points from winning positions this season. They could concede at least two goals for the sixth consecutive league match, which last happened to them in 2007.

Their last three fixtures in all competitions have ended 3-2, with the Bees scoring first in each game but only ending up winning just once.

Brentford vs Man City

19:15 , Mike Jones

Manchester City are aiming for a fifth consecutive league win, having won their last eight in all competitions. City have won their last three away games in the Premier League, despite having trailed in each of them.

Brentford vs Man City

19:10 , Mike Jones

Brentford have lost six of their past seven Premier League matches. Thomas Frank’s side haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 11 Premier League games and face an uphill task against Man City tonight.

Brentford vs Man City team changes

19:05 , Mike Jones

Brentford have made just one change to the team that were beaten 3-2 at Tottenham on Wednesday. Sergio Reguilon, who couldn’t play against parent club Spurs, comes back into the team for Keane Lewis-Potter.

Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, makes four changes to the Manchester City side who beat Burnley 3-1 as Erling Haaland makes his first start since injuring his foot.

Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva all return

Brentford vs Man City line-ups

19:01 , Mike Jones

Brentford XI: Flekken; Collins, Mee, Pinnock; Roerslev, Janelt, Jensen, Norgaard, Reguilon; Toney, Maupay

Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne; Alvarez, Foden, Haaland

‘Our hunger never stops’ says Ake

18:55 , Mike Jones

Manchester City’s Nathan Ake says that the team are always chasing success on the pitch and are ‘hungry’ to repeat last season’s feat of winning a treble.

The defender said: “Our hunger and desire to win never stops. Those moments where we lifted the five trophies last year are special and once you do it once, you want to do it again and again.

“We lost a few players in the summer but the new lads that have come in have added to that hunger.

“They are desperate to achieve their own success with us and that contributes to us being a winning side. That mentality of wanting to be the best never stops.”

Thomas Frank on facing Manchester City

18:50 , Mike Jones

Brentford manager, Thomas Frank, says that Manchester City are ‘flying’ as they look to regain the Premier League title. The Bees defeated City twice last season and are hoping to repeat that feat tonight.

“They are flying at the moment, and they are on track to do the undoable – winning the treble again,” said Frank.

“I don’t think any team has won the treble twice, and it’s still possible for them. Pep [Guardiola] will say one game at a time, but they’ve got the best team and the best players in the world – end of discussion. Pep is potentially the best manager in the world.

“When people, players and managers don’t have that hunger and determination any more, do they lose it? It doesn’t seem like they’ve lost it. They can do something no side has done in history, and I think that’s what drives them every single day.

“It’s going to be unbelievably difficult for us on Monday night, but the good news for Brentford fans is that we have big belief and big determination.

“We know that we are difficult for any team to play against, even Man City. The percentages are against us to win the game, but we believe we can.”

Brentford vs Manchester City

18:45 , Mike Jones

Brentford were one of just four teams to beat Manchester City in the Premier League last season, and the only team to do the double over them.

The Bees are aiming to be the first team to beat City three times in a row since Liverpool in 2015 and 2016.

Pep Guardiola responds to Erling Haaland speculation amid links with Real Madrid

18:40 , Mike Jones

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has challenged Real Madrid to make an offer for Erling Haaland if they really want him.

There were reports in Spain last week that Haaland dislikes life in Manchester so much that he wants to leave the club.

Perhaps inevitably, it was suggested Real Madrid were monitoring the prolific Norway striker’s situation.

The suspicion at City is that this could have been an attempt by Madrid-leaning media to unsettle the 23-year-old and edge him towards the Bernabeu Stadium.

Pep Guardiola responds to Erling Haaland speculation amid links with Real Madrid

‘The team is focused’ says Ederson

18:35 , Mike Jones

Ederson also spoke about the Premier League title race and believes that three possible teams, Liverpool, Arsenal and City themselves, can win the title.

“The team is focused, all of the players have their feet on the ground,” he explained. “They’re giving their all every day, preparing in the best way to be ready for the next match. I think that the most important thing is mentality, humility of the group.

“Training well every day, putting the effort in, dedicating yourself, and of course respecting the manager’s decisions.

“I think that we have a great dressing room, with young players who like to work hard, to dedicate themselves to the maximum. When it’s time to joke we joke, when it’s time to work we work hard.

“I think that the title race is between Liverpool, City and Arsenal, I think they are the three favourites to win the Premier League.”

Ederson excited at De Bruyne’s return

18:30 , Mike Jones

Manchester City’s Ederson says he is thrilled that Kevin De Bruyne has returned to the team following a prolonged spell on the sidelines and he is confident the Belgian will be a key figure in City’s fight for a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

“It’s just like chess – you have to protect the king [De Bruyne]! Now we have our ‘king’ back, one of the best assisters in Premier League history, third in the list now,” said Ederson.

“We’re so happy to have him back and playing good football, especially after such a long time out. He’s a player that our team missed a lot because he has such ability – he finds passes that very few players can find.

“He gets assists, scores goals, plays good football, he keeps the ball, so I’m very happy that he’s back and that he has returned to his high level.

“I hope that he can help us a lot for the rest of the season, not only him, but the whole group.”

Thomas Frank on January transfer window

18:25 , Mike Jones

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said that he is satisfied with the Bees’ business in January especially as the club managed to keep hold of Ivan Toney.

“I was pretty sure, and I said from the beginning, that I thought Ivan will stay with us, so I was not worried about that,” said the Brentford boss, “But in general, it’s nice to know what you’re working with.

“At the end of the day, we decide if players can leave or not. Of course, money talks. And we also know that we are a selling club.

“It’s part of our strategy that we bring young, talented players in. We develop them, make them better, they come on a journey with us and improve.

“Hopefully they do some fantastic stuff in the league, maybe one day win something, and then after some years, if they are good enough, they can progress to the next level.”

Pep Guardiola sure John Stones is over worst injury woes

18:20 , Mike Jones

Pep Guardiola hopes John Stones can now start to put a run of games together after what has been a frustrating season to date.

The England centre-back, who shone in a hybrid defence-midfield role in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign last season, has made only 11 appearances this term.

He missed 12 games at the start of the season with a hip problem and then picked up a muscular injury in November that sidelined him for another month.

His return from that setback then proved shortlived as he hurt his ankle at former club Everton in December, not featuring again until last Wednesday’s Premier League victory over Burnley.

He’s really good – Pep Guardiola sure John Stones is over worst injury woes

Brentford vs Manchester City prediction

18:15 , Mike Jones

Brentford are in terrible form despite the return of Ivan Toney who has scored in both Premier League matches he’s played since his gambling ban ended. The Bees have lost six of their last seven league games and now take on the current champions who have not been beaten since a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in December.

City are boosted by the returns of Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland and with Liverpool dropping points against Arsenal yesterday they will want to take their chance to close the gap on the league leaders.

Brentford 1-3 Manchester City.

Brentford vs Manchester City early team news

18:10 , Mike Jones

Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry remain absent for Brentford, with Sergio Reguilon’s availability therefore useful after the Spanish full-back missed the midweek defeat to Tottenham, his parent club.

Kevin Schade and Bryan Mbeumo are also sidelined, while Yoanne Wissa, Frank Onyeka and Saman Ghoddos remain on international duty.

Pep Guardiola has a fully fit squad from which to choose, with Manchester City boosted by the recent returns of Jeremy Doku, Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian striker may make his first start after overcoming his foot issue having returned from the bench against Burnley.

Predicted line-ups

Brentford XI: Flekken; Collins, Mee, Pinnock; Roerslev, Janelt, Jensen, Norgaard, Reguilon; Toney, Maupay

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Silva, Grealish; Haaland.

How to watch Brentford vs Manchester City

18:05 , Mike Jones

Brentford vs Manchester City is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Monday 5 February at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage due to start at 6.30pm GMT. Subscribers can also stream the action via Sky Go.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Brentford vs Manchester City

18:00 , Mike Jones

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Premier League action as Brentford host Manchester City.

The Bees are hoping to distance themselves away from the relegation zone but have a difficult job on their hands if they want to take points away from City this evening. Thomas Frank’s men are currently three points ahead of Everton, who sit 18th, and any possible points from tonight’s encounter will be a bonus.

For their part, Manchester City are hunting down Liverpool who sit top of the table. Pep Guardiola’s men have two games in hand, including tonight’s fixture, and will close the gap on the Reds to two points if they triumph this evening.

We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and latest updates so stick around as we build up to kick off at 8pm.