“Come on you Irons!” declared Pep Guardiola as he finished his post-match media duties, his arms crossed and fists clenched in the famous salute of West Ham supporters and players.
All eyes are now on Arsenal’s trip to the London Stadium after Guardiola’s Manchester City did their bit to keep the title race going.
Victory against Brentford was inspired by Jérémy Doku, who is doing everything in his power to keep Arsenal’s champagne on ice. After scoring the equaliser at Everton earlier in the week, the City winger produced a moment of magic when it looked like hope was again slipping away.
Any dropped points here would surely have ended City’s challenge and it was going the way of another frustrating evening until Doku’s intervention. Brentford are still fighting for Champions League qualification and look comfortable rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite, or certainly capable of winning at the Etihad Stadium.
It needed a special moment from Doku and he provided it on the hour mark, collecting a short corner that Mikkel Damsgaard struggled to deal with. The Belgium international skipped around Damsgaard and Mathias Jensen, then curled into the top corner, his finish clearing Aaron Hickey on the goal-line.
Doku said himself that he needs to score more to be considered one of the world’s best wingers and he has now brought that into his game, scoring five in his last six appearances. City may fall short in this title – the gap is now two points – but they have seen Doku come of age during their scrap with Arsenal.
“I’m an instinct player,” Doku said. “At the moment it’s working out. I scored some goals, I’ve always played with instinct but now the goals are coming. I haven’t been a different player.”
His equaliser at the Hill Dickinson Stadium could yet prove crucial in the final games of the season. It could have been all over by now, with Arsenal far ahead enough to concentrate on the Champions League final. But Doku has seen the pressure shift again. Over to you Mikel Arteta.
“We are fighting with a team quite similar to Liverpool in the past, in the final of the Champions League without losing a game and have been top of the league almost all season,” said Guardiola.
“It’s not in our hands now so it depends on them dropping points but all we can do is win on Wednesday [against Crystal Palace] again, play the final of the FA Cup and go to Bournemouth. So the calendar is demanding but it’s simple. It’s just two weeks and the season will be over.”
After Doku opened the scoring, Erling Haaland bundled in a second, an astonishing 50th goal of the season for City and Norway. He could end up with a record number after the FA Cup final and World Cup in the summer. Omar Marmoush added a third in stoppage-time.
Those late goals could be important in the title race. City are now just one behind Arsenal’s goal difference which will decide the title if the top two are level on points, not that Guardiola has to look at the table to work that out.
“I don’t have to take a look because I look at the table in my head. I know the opponents, the goal difference and everything,” he said.
It was a far-from-perfect performance from Guardiola’s team but they need to be perfect with their results from here. It is Crystal Palace next, followed by Bournemouth and Aston Villa. Two of those opponents have European finals to prepare for but it would be foolish to take anything for granted.
After getting jeered off at the interval, Doku broke the deadlock and dedicated the goal to his father, David, who was celebrating his 60th birthday. “I’m becoming a dad soon and he sacrificed his life for me every time, bringing me to the club not knowing I would be what I am now,” said Doku Jnr. “For me that’s a big thing, so him turning 60, I’m grateful and that’s why I wanted to give this goal to him. Having him around is a blessing.”
Brentford forward Kevin Schade had two penalty shouts turned down, the second seeing him pulled back by Matheus Nunes after being sent through. It led to Guardiola asking for the German forward to be booked, which could easily have seen him yellow-carded himself.
“He is through on goal, in what world he goes down is beyond me. That’s the one I’m struggling to comprehend,” said Brentford manager Keith Andrews. “The comment I heard was ‘not enough contact’. For someone who is as quick as Kevin Schade, I don’t know how much contact it needs. Not with how quick Kev is.”
Haaland made it 2-0 with his ugliest goal of the season to being up his half-century. As Brentford failed to clear, he barged his way through and back-heeled through a ruck of players and over the line. Haaland then teed up Marmoush in the final moments, poking the ball through for his team-mate to finish.
More from Jeremy Doku, talking to Sky Sports
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— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 9, 2026"You sacrifice everything during the season to arrive at this point"
Jeremy Doku reacts to Man City's massive win over Brentford 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/gk53vRuiAW
Jeremy Doku speaking to the BBC
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On his goal:
“Looks a bit like the one against Everton, we wanted to take short, the corner, I go past my man and then I look for the pass in between, the ball comes back and I am inside the box and I feel I have space to shoot and I do it without thinking and I am happy that it went in.”
On whether he plays without thinking too much:
“I am an instinct player. Today it is working out. I scored some goals, I have always played with instinct but now the goals are coming. I have not been a different player. I feel like after the first chance, the right back tried to close my right foot, so we opened more on the right side and tested my speed. On the goal I felt like I had the space to come inside and I tried to shoot.”
On getting three points:
“We knew we had to score. When we scored the goal there was more space and then we had a second goal. We were relieved and happy and we know that we need goals. I am happy for Omar [Marmoush], he has been training hard and this is about the work he has put in so I am happy for him.”
Post-match thoughts of Keith Andrews
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“We are playing against a team that is fighting for the title. You can see that in their urgency. I liked a lot of what we did today. We showed a lot of bravery, a lot of courage. It needed to be a near-perfect performance to win tonight. I do not think the scoreline should fuel anyone into thinking it was an absolute rout. The way we approached it, the margins of what we had, the margins of the decisions that were made are quite telling overall.
“There was a lot going on for the officials. I am the first to always say what a difficult job they have, and what they have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. It is difficult with all the contentious issues, the play-acting. I thought Kevin Schade’s one in the second half was a penalty. I will say that. So that was really disappointing.”
Nathan Collins speaking to Sky Sports
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“It looks like a heavy defeat. We wanted to come here without fear. We wanted to still be a threat and hurt them in spells. I thought we did that in spells. Then there were decisions in the second half and the momentum of the game changed.”
Did decisions go against them?
“Potentially on the day, yeah. They got better as it went on, to be fair to them, and when you come to a place like this, they are ruthless.”
Another stunner from Jeremy Doku
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— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 9, 2026"He's been exceptional!"
Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards analyse Jeremy Doku's goal against Brentford 🔥 pic.twitter.com/x6iZ7lolqq
Post-match thoughts of Erling Haaland
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“It feels good to win 3-0. We just missed the last shot on goal today. We created a lot of chances and did not get the last shot on a lot of crosses. Brentford defended well. They are a good team. There are no easy games in the Premier League. So we are happy.
“It has been an up-and-down season. I am trying to do my job and 26 goals is more than last year. So it is OK.
“I have not thought of any other game. Just tired playing this game. How we approach the next game is not think of any other games for two days and then try to win the next game. Recover. Then next game and the same again.
“If you play for Manchester City, you think of titles every single day.”
What’s left for Brentford?
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Keith Andrews’ side host Crystal Palace next weekend before taking on Liverpool at Anfield on the final day. They currently sit eighth, two points behind Brighton and four off Bournemouth. Their European hopes are still alive but have taken a blow with defeat tonight.
Manchester City’s remaining four games
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May 13: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace (Premier League)
May 16: Manchester City vs Chelsea (FA Cup)
May 19: Bournemouth vs Manchester City (Premier League)
May 24: Manchester City vs Aston Villa (Premier League)
Manchester City have one trophy to their name already this season (League Cup) and could still add two more. With three games left in the league, they are now just two points behind Arsenal and take part in the FA Cup final this time next week.
This round of Premier League fixtures
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Today:
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1
Brighton 3 Wolves 0
Fulham 0 Bournemouth 1
Sunderland 0 Manchester United 0
Manchester City 3 Brentford 0
Sunday:
Burnley vs Aston Villa
Crystal Palace vs Everton
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle
West Ham vs Arsenal
Monday:
Tottenham vs Leeds
FT stats
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Possession: Manchester City 59%-41% Brentford
Shots: 25-4
Shots on target: 10-2
Corners: 10-2
Touches in opposition box: 60-11
Full time
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There is the final whistle and Manchester City have secured a crucial three points in this title race. Goals from Doku, Haaland and Marmoush have taken Manchester City to within two points of Arsenal, who play West Ham at the London Stadium tomorrow. This win for Pep Guardiola’s side puts the pressure back on Mikel Arteta’s men.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 9, 2026"Manchester City send out the message that if Arsenal falter, they will be waiting for them!" 🗣️
The SCENES at full-time! pic.twitter.com/31iuyigse0
90+4 mins: Manchester City 3 Brentford 0
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Thiago comes close to a consolation goal for Brentford as Donnarumma tips the Brazilian’s header onto the bar.
GOAL! Marmoush seals it for Manchester City
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The title race is very much still alive. The gap to leaders Arsenal will be cut to just two points as Haaland feeds a pass into the path of Marmoush, who takes a great first touch inside the Brentford box before firing into the far corner.
90 mins: Manchester City 2 Brentford 0
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Doku’s day is done as he is replaced by Savinho.
There will be five added minutes.
87 mins: Manchester City 2 Brentford 0
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It has kicked off. First it is Henderson and Silva who come to blows and then Henderson and Nunes. Silva is a touch fortunate as he is already on a booking and was getting fully involved in that heated exchange. He escapes a booking but both Henderson and Nunes are booked.
85 mins: Manchester City 2 Brentford 0
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Phil Foden has been having a wretched time recently. His frustration was obvious when he was denied a goal by Caoimhin Kelleher’s brilliant save.
84 mins: Manchester City 2 Brentford 0
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Haaland drives forward through the Brentford half and then plays a pass forward towards Marmoush. Ajer though slides in with a crucial interception inside his own penalty area just before Marmoush was about to shoot.
82 mins: Manchester City 2 Brentford 0
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What a stunning save from Kelleher. Doku gets the better of Ouattara and cuts the ball across from the byline. He finds Foden, who hits it first time and strikes it well, only to be denied by a fine reflex save from Kelleher.
80 mins: Manchester City 2 Brentford 0
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Ajer is booked for a foul on Marmoush.
79 mins: Manchester City 2 Brentford 0
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Brentford make a substitution as Henderson, back from injury, comes on for Yarmoliuk. Henderson receives plenty of boos from the Manchester City fans owing to his days as Liverpool captain.
GOAL! Haaland doubles Manchester City’s lead
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That could be game, set and match at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s side had to be patient but two goals have come in relatively quick succession. It comes from good work from Semenyo down their right and Haaland manages to back heel into the net. It was a slightly scrappy goal but Manchester City will not care one bit.
74 mins: Manchester City 1 Brentford 0
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O’Reilly pulls Ouattara back and is into the book. He can have no complaints with that yellow card.
72 mins: Manchester City 1 Brentford 0
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Doku is looking for his second goal of the game and shoots from just outside the box. It takes a deflection off Ajer and goes just wide of the post.
71 mins: Manchester City 1 Brentford 0
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Brentford are screaming for a penalty! Ouattara initially plays the ball down the channel into the path of Thiago, who squares it for Schade inside the Manchester City penalty area. Schade goes down under a challenge from Nunes but was there enough for a penalty? VAR checks and the on-field decision of no penalty stands. There is a small amount of contact but probably not enough to overturn the original decision and give a penalty.
68 mins: Manchester City 1 Brentford 0
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Change for Brentford as Ouattara comes on for Damsgaard.
67 mins: Manchester City 1 Brentford 0
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A big chance for Foden to double Manchester City’s advantage but Kelleher is on hand to make the save with his legs. Had that gone in, that might have been game, set and match.
61 mins: Manchester City 1 Brentford 0
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Change for the away side as Janelt has replaced Hickey.
GOAL! Doku stunner puts Manchester City in front
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The Belgian scored two screamers on Monday night and he delivers again this evening. Doku gets a touch fortunate with how he got the ball off Damsgaard but there is nothing lucky about the finish, curling one into the top corner.
59 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Double change for Manchester City as Foden and Marmoush come on for Reijnders and Cherki.
58 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Brentford have made a positive start to this second half and you can sense the nerves inside the Etihad, with the home fans knowing a win this evening is an absolute non-negotiable in the title race.
55 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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A big chance for Brentford and an important save from Donnarumma. Kayode feeds a pass forward into the path of Thaigo, who could square it for Schade if he had got the pass off quickly but instead shoots and is denied by Donnarumma. That was a decent opportunity for the second highest scorer in the league.
54 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Semenyo cuts inside from the right and drives across the face of the box before shooting but his effort is a way off target. It has not been his best day.
50 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Jensen guides a pass into the Manchester City looking for the run of Ajer but it just misses him and the ball rolls through to Donnarumma.
47 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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An early chance in this second half falls for Cherki, who drags his shot wide from just inside the Brentford penalty area.
Second half
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We are back under way at the Etihad. These are a huge 45 minutes coming up in the title race. As it stands, if this score were to stay the same, Arsenal would be four points clear with the same number of games to go [three]. This is also important to Brentford in their hunt for European football.
This round of Premier League fixtures
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Today:
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1
Brighton 3 Wolves 0
Fulham 0 Bournemouth 1
Sunderland 0 Manchester United 0
Manchester City 0 Brentford 0 HT
Sunday:
Burnley vs Aston Villa
Crystal Palace vs Everton
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle
West Ham vs Arsenal
Monday:
Tottenham vs Leeds
HT stats
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Possession: Manchester City 69%-31% Brentford
Shots: 15-1
Shots on target: 4-0
Corners: 6-0
Touches in opposition box: 32-1
Manchester City have completely and utterly dominated the stats but the scoreline, the most important statistic, is level. Another statistic for you; Brentford’s xG is 0.01!
Half-time
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The first half is brought to an end and it remains goalless at the break. Arsenal fans as it stands will be delighted with this scoreline.
45 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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There will be two added minutes at the end of this first half.
There are plenty of boos from the home fans as frustration grows. Some of those boos are directed at the officials but others will be aimed at their own team.
41 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Doku is dominating Kayode but Manchester City have been unable thus far to take advantage of that. Every time Doku crosses it is intercepted by a Brentford player instead of being met by a Manchester City player.
39 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Thiago brings Doku down with a clumsy challenge just outside the Brentford box in a central position. That very much felt like a forward’s tackle. Both Cherki and Semenyo are standing over this one.
Cherki is the one to take but ends up hitting his own man in Haaland!
36 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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The two captains come to blows and exchange words. Silva is booked for his part after lashing out at Collins. To be honest, both players were at it and it feels slightly harsh to book one and not the other.
33 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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As Lewis-Potter receives treatment to his head after a bit of friendly fire from Kelleher, Pep Guardiola takes the opportunity to speak to most of his players in a huddle, other than Donnarumma and Haaland.
Keane Lewis-Potter needs treatment after taking a blow to the head. City fans are booing, but it might be for the shocking 80s-style mustard and brown tracksuits that Brentford’s medical staff are wearing. Keith Andrews has dressed himself.
31 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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The pressure is ramping up on Brentford and they cannot really get out at the moment.
28 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Manchester City nearly score but somehow the ball stays out of the Brentford net. Doku easily gets past Jensen and cuts it back from the byline to find Haaland, whose first-time effort from eight yards out is saved. Ake then attempts to poke it home but Kelleher manages to gather up the ball.
25 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Haaland has barely touched the ball but with two of his few touches he could have scored. This time Semenyo clips in a cross from the right and Haaland meets it but his header is saved by Kelleher.
22 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Thiago plays a ball forward into the path of Schade, who races away towards the Manchester City box. Nunes is desperately scampering back and makes a last-ditch challenge. Schade believed he was fouled but Nunes got the ball. Nunes had to time that challenge perfectly or else he would have been sent off.
Brentford want Matheus Nunes to be sent off after a race with Kevin Schade sees the Bees forward go down. But replays showed contact was minimal and Schade lost his balance.
20 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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I had just mentioned Haaland had not touched the ball. Well, now he has and could and perhaps should have scored. Doku cuts inside onto his right before clipping a cross into the centre of the box. Haaland meets it 10 yards out but his header goes over Kelleher’s bar.
19 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Manchester City are getting plenty of joy down their left, in particular Doku winning the match-up against Kayode.
Here is a stat for you; we are nearly 20 minutes into the game and Haaland is yet to touch the ball.
15 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Cherki brings down Hickey not far outside the Manchester City box out on the left. Jensen swings in a dangerous delivery into the corridor of uncertainty and Donnarumma is able to push it away from goal. Had a Brentford player got even a small touch on that, it could well have been a goal.
13 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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A dangerous ball is played in behind the Manchester City defence and Schade races after it. It is 50-50 contest between the German and Ake but the former brings down the latter and a free-kick is awarded to the hosts.
11 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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The Football Writers’ Association player-of-the-year award has sparked a fierce debate. My colleague Sam Dean had his view with this piece.
An outside contender was Brentford striker Igor Thiago, who has scored 25 goals and forced his way into the Brazil squad.
7 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Nearly a horror moment for Manchester City. Kayode’s first long throw of the evening causes all sorts of problems in the Manchester City box as Donnarumma attempts to come out and punch it away. The Italian completely misses out and Nunes hurriedly clears away from near his own line.
The understanding between Gianluigi Donnarumma and his defenders hasn’t been so secure in recent weeks and Brentford are pressing the City keeper at every opportunity.
5 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Here is a sign of things to come. The match was 30 seconds old when Nathan Collins and Erling Haaland were shirt-pulling and wrestling. That has been the tactic of Premier League teams this season against the most prolific striker in the competition: engage him physically.
3 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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O’Reilly makes a run into the Brentford box and is found. His cross from the byline is intercepted by Jensen. Manchester City are already having success down their left.
2 mins: Manchester City 0 Brentford 0
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Doku scored twice for Manchester City on Monday night and is quickly into the action this evening. He drives at Kayode and, as he enters the Brentford box, he cuts inside onto his right. He tries to find the far corner but Kelleher makes a smart save down to his left.
Kick-off
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We are under way at the Etihad. This feels make-or-break for Manchester City in the title race. This game is also important for Brentford, who are chasing European football.
Nearly ready for action
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Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at the Etihad. Here is a reminder of how the two sides line up this evening:
Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Guéhi, Ake, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Reijnders; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland .
Substitutes: Trafford, Dias, Stones, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden.
Brentford: Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Hickey; Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Damsgaard; Schade, Thiago, Lewis-Potter.
Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Dasilva, Nelson, Ouattara, Janelt, Furo.
Your predictions
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How do you think this game will pan out? If Manchester City do not win this evening, is that the title race well and truly over? A reminder you can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
Pre-match thoughts of Keith Andrews
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“We are very understanding of the magnitude of the game for them, but we have our own agenda. We need to finish the season really well. We need to play really well. Three games left, this is as hard as it gets. They have our own mission and we have to play very well to get something from the game.”
Guardiola backs bit-part player Foden to ‘explode’
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When Phil Foden comes to reflect on another challenging season, there will probably not be a more cutting remark than the one uttered by Wayne Rooney at the end of the Carabao Cup final in March.
Foden was introduced in the 89th minute of Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal and there was almost pity in Rooney’s voice. “It felt like a charity sub to get him on the pitch,” the former Manchester United and England captain said.
Most would have scoffed had it been suggested after watching the midfielder spearhead City to an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in 2023-24, and enjoy a clean sweep of individual awards in the process that, 18 months on, he would have become a bit-part player under Pep Guardiola.
Battle for the golden boot
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Erling Haaland is the favourite for that trophy, currently on 25 league goals, but he has a man on the opposite side today hot on his heels. Brentford’s Igor Thiago has had a fine season in front of goal, notching up 22 goals.
Pre-match thoughts of Brentford’s Kevin Schade
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“It is one of the hardest games probably. They have something to fight for, us as well. I hope it is a good game to watch. We want to win every game to fight for the European spots. It will be very hard, we are focused. Mentally, we are in a good spot.”
Rayan Cherki speaking to Sky Sports
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— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 9, 2026"It's a form of art"
Man City's Rayan Cherki on why he feels it's important to express himself creatively on the pitch 🎨 pic.twitter.com/QR0wKqEnqa
Pep Guardiola explains the absence of Abdukodir Khusanov
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“He got a tough knock in a painful, painful area in the last game against Everton with Beto. He is not ready yet. It is good. We have a tough schedule now. The last effort. Two weeks, go for every game. It is always nice in this stadium. Let’s try and do a good game, get a result and then go to sleep.”
Focus on the hosts
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Pep Guardiola has made two changes to the Manchester City team that drew at Everton five days ago. Tijjani Reijnders replaces Nico González in midfield, with Rodri missing a fourth successive game. Nathan Ake also comes in for Abdukodir Khusanov.
Teams in full
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Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Guéhi, Ake, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Reijnders; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland .
Substitutes: Trafford, Dias, Stones, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden.
Brentford: Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Hickey; Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Damsgaard; Schade, Thiago, Lewis-Potter.
Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Dasilva, Nelson, Ouattara, Janelt, Furo.
Brentford’s last five results (all Premier League)
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Brentford 3 West Ham 0
Manchester United 2 Brentford 1
Brentford 0 Fulham 0
Brentford 2 Everton 2
Leeds 0 Brentford 0
Manchester City’s last five results
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Everton 3 Manchester City 3 (Premier League)
Manchester City 2 Southampton 1 (FA Cup)
Burnley 0 Manchester City 1 (Premier League)
Manchester City 2 Arsenal 1 (Premier League)
Chelsea 0 Manchester City 3 (Premier League)
This round of Premier League fixtures
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Saturday:
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1 FT
Brighton 2 Wolves 0 (69’)
Fulham 0 Bournemouth 1 (62’)
Sunderland 0 Manchester United 0 (68’)
Manchester City vs Brentford 5.30pm
Sunday:
Burnley vs Aston Villa
Crystal Palace vs Everton
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle
West Ham vs Arsenal
Monday:
Tottenham vs Leeds
Manchester City team
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— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 9, 2026Your City side to face Brentford 🩵
XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Guéhi, Ake, O'Reilly, Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Trafford, Dias, Stones, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden
Match preview: Win or bust
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Manchester City host Brentford at the Etihad Stadium, knowing a win is an absolute non-negotiable to stay in the title race. Their title hopes took a major hit on Monday night as they drew 3-3 at Everton. They had led that game 1-0 but a mad quarter of an hour in the second half saw them fall 3-1 down only to score two late goals to draw, including a 97th-minute equaliser from Jeremy Doku. Pep Guardiola has hailed the form of the Belgian winger.
“I am so glad,” Guardiola said. “I am so glad they are making the step and feel that the winger had to score and make an impact not just an extra one against one. The goals, the assists, also contributing defensively; Jeremy has been amazing this season. Amazing.”
This weekend Manchester City get to play before their title rivals Arsenal and have the opportunity to cut the gap to two points ahead of Arsenal’s game at West Ham on Sunday. The hosts could welcome Rodri back, with the Spaniard having missed their last three games. Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are nearing returns to fitness.
Brentford come into this game off the back of a 3-0 home win over West Ham last weekend. Keith Andrews’ side are firmly in the race for European football. There were doubts about Andrews replacing Frank last summer but the Irishman has led them to seventh place going into the final three games of the season.
“The narrative around last week’s game was all around West Ham and the fight to stay in the league,” Keith Andrews told Sky Sports. “I was pretty firm then that I do not really care about that, to be blunt. I care about us and what we are trying to do and it is similar this weekend. I obviously know the effect that it can have, the result whichever way it goes, but we have got our own agenda to take care of. The edge that we play with I really, really like. I like watching us. I really like watching us.
“We are a team that respects the opposition, respects the level, respects what you need to do to get results in the league. But equally we have this feel of we will go toe-to-toe with any team in the league. We are in a decent run of form. We are playing pretty well. We are still playing with a lot of energy and personality, which I like.”
Having missed the last four matches with injury, Jordan Henderson is back available for the visitors.
Manchester City won the reverse fixture 1-0 at the Gtech Stadium back in October, with Erling Haaland scoring the only goal of the game. These sides also met in the League Cup in December, with Manchester City winning 2-0 at the Etihad.
Team news to follow shortly.