Match Report and Player Ratings: Brentford 2-2 Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Brentford having led by two goals in an end-to-end game in west London on Tuesday night.

A goal-fest was expected at the Gtech Community Stadium in midweek and so it proved, but it was a first-half of nip and tuck as neither team fully hit their stride.

Manchester City hit the front when Phil Foden scored two very different types of goals in the second-half, but Yoanne Wissa pulled one back before Christian Norgaard equalised in injury time to snatch a deserved share of the points for the Bees.

Brentford applied the early pressure as Wissa only narrowly missed connecting with strike partner Bryan Mbeumo’s cross, then the latter forced Stefan Ortega into his first save with a scuffed effort and the former put another shot just wide after a counter-attack.

The Bees are yet to keep a home clean sheet this season though, and City seriously threatened that record for the first time when Kevin de Bruyne’s cross found Erling Haaland’s head, but was slightly too high to be converted, before chances for Matheus Nunes, Savinho and Mateo Kovacic also went begging.

The champions’ threat remained in the second half, and they came as close as you can get to scoring without doing so as a brilliant run from Savinho ended in the Brazilian blasting against the post.

City had coped well with the counter threat to that point but on the hour they faced their first real taste of it – Josko Gvardiol gave the ball away and Brentford charged up the pitch, but the Croatian defender made a heroic recovery run and slid in to deny Wissa the opener.

It proved to be decisive, because City scored moments later; Savinho found de Bruyne on the right wing, whose delivery was as good as it had been all night to find Foden, and the PFA Player of the Year offered a flash of the clinical brilliance we saw all of last season to deftly touch the cross home.

Brentford were never going to lie down and ramped up the pressure even further, forcing another unbelievable defensive intervention, this time from Nathan Ake.

But similar to the last league away trip to Leicester, City soaked up the pressure and sucker-punched with a second goal; Savinho was uncontrollable in the second period and he broke free to shoot into Flekken’s chest, with Foden there to tidy up and convert cleanly.

The game wasn’t over yet though – a flighted ball to the back post found Mads Roerslev, and his pass back across landed to Wissa, who couldn’t missed and halved City’s lead.

And Brentford completed their comeback when Norgaard popped up in the box and struck past Ortega, and could even have stolen the win had Ake not produced another late goal-line clearance.

It will hurt for the Blues but it was by no means a bad display, and Brentford were good value for their point – here’s how we rated the players in Manchester City’s draw at the Brentford Community Stadium!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Stefan Ortega – 6.5

Would have expected to be busy at a stadium famed for its goals, and nearly produced a miraculous save on Norgaard’s equaliser. Impressed with his playing out from the back.

Manuel Akanji – 6

The first time in a while we’ve seen him looking to step forward into midfield with the ball. Struggled a little more in one-on-one duels.

Nathan Ake – 8

Has looked to ease his way back into fitness in recent weeks but Brentford gave him no hope of taking things easy here. Ake responded defiantly, putting everything on the line and only slightly stumbling on Brentford’s goal.

Josko Gvardiol – 7

Got forward plenty but couldn’t really provide the touches of attacking difference we know he can. Was more impressive at the back, particularly with a cracking block on Wissa.

Matheus Nunes – 7

His second outing at right-back and he looks comfortable enough there already. Needs a bit more aggression in his defending but is a good candidate to invert from wide.

Mateo Kovacic – 6.5

Picked the short straw as the lone holding midfielder on a night of chaos in the middle. Coped admirably in possession, but work still needs done for him to emulate Rodri in protecting the City backline.

Bernardo Silva – 6

Put his heart and soul into it as always, slotting into different positions to aid the team. He isn’t a natural defender though and missed his header in the build-up to Brentford’s goal.

Kevin de Bruyne – 8.5 (MOTM)

Made a compelling case to anyone doubting his continued brilliance. Ran the show for City and finally saw one of his creations finished by Foden.

Phil Foden – 8.5

Played more of a facilitating role for much of the match, but showed his true talent with a marvellous one-touch finish and his nose for goal to snaffle a second on the rebound.

Erling Haaland – 6.5

A game of contrasting headed fortunes for the big man; did his best hold-up play with some intelligent flicks, but missed the best of his handful of chances with his bonce.

Savinho – 8

Looks such a threat right now. Came into his own in the second half, turning Brentford inside out and playing a part in both goals.

Substitutes

Ilkay Gundogan – 6

Couldn’t really get a grip in the midfield.

James McAtee – 6

Popped up in the box but couldn’t convert.