Well, that was quite something. Thanks for reading and I’ll leave you with Jamie Jackson’s full match report from the Etihad.
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Another good line from Toney. “They might be Man City but they’re humans and humans can lose games.”
Two-goal hero Ivan Toney speaks. “Listen, the only thing is just keep doing well. Keeping doing my best, doing well for the team and who knows what can happen. Obviously it’s disappointing [not going to the World Cup] but, listen, I know what I’m capable of and I won’t let it put me down. Just keep going and keep doing well for Brentford.”
Did he have extra motivation today? “The motivation is the boys in the dressing room and the fans, as you can see.”
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Peter from Copenhagen is back. “Like I told you in the beginning of the game, they needed Norgaard and and a fourth Dane to beat Manchester City. Have a wonderful Saturday all!” Yes, Norgaard made a difference and the Danish influence played a key part. That said, the hero today is Toney who is about to speak to BT.
This all means that Arsenal can go into Christmas with a five-point lead if they beat Wolves later this evening.
Full-time: Man City 1-2 Brentford
Incredible. A double from Ivan Toney and Brentford have caused one of the upsets of the season. City are beaten for the first time at home in the Premier League since February.
90+10 min We’re into the 100th minute and Brentford are on the verge of a famous win.
90+9 min Brentford should have a third and Toney should have a hat-trick! They break and it’s three on one. Da Silva finds Toney but his shot is cleared off the line by De Bruyne. This is remarkable stuff.
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From the City corner, Wissa bursts away down the left, finds Da Silva on the right and the substitute’s cross into the six-yard area is tucked home by Toney who slips in ahead of Gundogan!! Scenes on the Brentford bench and Toney has his second.
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GOAL! Man City 1-2 Brentford (Toney 90+8)
Oh my word!!!
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90+7 min Rodri’s scuffed shot is blocked as City ramp it up again. Foden strikes a far more convincing effort which is deflected just over for a corner.
90+5 min Jensen delays a throw-in by ignoring the ball handed to him and reaching for another one from a plinth. Tick, tick, tick…
90+4 min Brentford still snapping into tackles and they win another pressure-relieving free-kick.
90+3 min Akanji thumps one from just outside the D but that’s too high and another minute passes as Brentford delay the goalkick.
90+2 min Jensen is booked for a tactical foul on the breaking De Bruyne. His manager won’t mind that.
90+1 min Huge chance for Toney. He glides past Laporte just outside the six-yard box but can’t force his close-range shot past Ederson.
90 min Some respite for Brentford as Toney is fouled in his own half. The board goes up and, yep, we will have 10 added minutes due to that lengthy repair work to Laporte.
89 min Rumours abound that there will be 10 (vidiprinter ‘ten’) added minutes.
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88 min Alvarez is in the action immediately and he’s in acres down the left after being found by Gundogan. The striker looks to pick out Haaland who slips on his backside as the ball runs behind him. It’s not been Erling’s day… so far.
86 min Could Cancelo have stood up and got a shot off? He must wish he could have that moment back. Brentford make a change as Da Silva comes on for Onyeka. City finally make a switch and take off naughty boy Cancelo for Julio Alvarez. The Argentine has scored in his last three matches so perhaps he’ll be the difference maker? Time running out though.
84 min Cancelo goes down in the box. Is that a penalty? No!!! It’s a dive and the Portuguese, who was sent off against Fulham, picks up a yellow card. He doesn’t complain.
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82 min The crowd try to lift the hosts with shouts of “Come on City, Come on City”. De Bruyne hits a low left-foot shot from distance but that’s meat and drink for Raya.
80 min City not really creating much from open play. Haaland has been marked extremely well and the camera closes in on the Norwegian chuntering to himself.
79 min Scare for City as Jensen’s curling free-kick from the right just evades Pinnock at the far post. Frank puts his hands to his head.
“Somewhere in the world, will be that one very annoying person who stuck £10 on an Arsenal/Napoli league title double at very good odds,” says Tom Stratford on email. Yep, Arsenal can pull four points clear if it stays 1-1 here. Napoli have a nine-point lead at the top of Serie A!
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77 min Cancelo smashes a right-foot shot from 20 yards on target but Raya turns it behind. From the corner, Gundogan half volleys his strike way over the crossbar.
76 min De Bruyne breaks and slides a ball through to the charging Haaland but Brentford’s defenders have their angles worked out and the Belgian’s pass is too near Raya.
74 min City have scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of games than any other team in the Premier League this season so Brentford have it all on to keep them at bay. Then again, we can’t yet rule out another goal from the visitors. Does this have a Liverpool 1-2 Leeds air to it?
72 min So close for Brentford! Henry drives forward into the box, crosses from the left and Mbeumo is there to tap in except Laporte somehow scoops the ball to safety from inside the six-yard box. At the other end, Rodri tries a curler which produces a ‘for the cameras’ save from Raya. During all that, Mbeumo picked up a yellow card and it’s his last involvement. The striker, who’ll be heading to the World Cup with Cameroon, is replaced by Wissa.
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71 min Foden takes a ball down on his chest and thumps another not-quite half-volley over the bar.
70 min Lovely play by Brentford down the right. Toney slips in Roerslev to cross from the right but his ball in is too near Ederson.
68 min De Bruyne’s cross from the left drifts harmlessly wide. No real murmurs of frustration yet from the City fans who know they’ll have probably eight or more added minutes due to the lengthy stoppage to treat Laporte.
67 min A little reminder from Brentford that they’re still an attacking force as Toney’s early shot from distance requires a decent stop from Ederson.
66 min Excellent pressing from Brentford puts Stones in a pickle but he has the class and composure to break free. Gundogan and Haaland exchange passes on the edge of the box before the little German midfielder fluffs his shot over the bar.
64 min Great tackle in midfield from Onyeka as De Bruyne and Haaland threaten to romp into open grass.
63 min This is all getting very stop-start and one of the referee’s assistants adds to it as his Duracells run out and there’s a break in play as fresh batteries are fitted.
62 min A change for Brentford as Norgaard comes on for Janelt.
61 min Henry has his first gallop down the left of the half but this one doesn’t have any end product.
60 min Gundogan floats a dinked cross from the left … Haaland leaps … there’s an intake of breath from the crowd … but, fear not, Brentford fans, it loops over his head.
57 min City are immediately back on the attack and Cancelo’s curler is deflected just wide for a corner although Raya probably had it covered. De Bruyne whips it in and there’s another City player down in the box. Penalty appeal No. 57! Peter Bankes isn’t having it, neither are VAR, and the ref orders the corner to be taken again. The ball eventually drops to headband hero Laporte on the edge of the box but he mishits his volley way over the bar.
56 min Laporte is finally fully patched up and he’s back on his feet. He fist bumps a member of the medical staff and looks okay to continue. That was a seven-minute delay so lots to add on at the end.
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54 min Laporte is still on his back in the penalty area with the City medical team around him. Haaland and Foden are offering words of comfort. He’s awake and chatting and finally sits up. There’s a headband now being wound around which Laporte finds amusing.
51 min Quite a lengthy break in play as Laporte continues to get treatment for a head wound. It’s a cut but obviously there are concussion concerns too.
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50 min Bernardo somehow wins a header at the far post which Brentford put behind for a corner. From the set-piece, Laporte goes down holding his head and it’s not pretty. Blood everywhere and he’ll need treatment. There’s an inevitable VAR check after the accidental elbow from Pinnock but it’s a no again.
48 min City have Brentford pinned in their own half in the early exchanges of this second period. The hosts had a fairly predictable 74% possession in the first half.
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47 min A reminder that Arsenal are guaranteed to be top at Christmas if City don’t win today.
46 min Peep peep! Here we go again. City, via Erling Haaland, get the second 45 in play.
Half-time
Peep peep! A highly-entertaining first half at the Etihad with Brentford taking a shock but deserved lead before City found a moment of class just before the interval. All to play for.
And a half-time read for you:
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45+3 min City push again as they look to completely turn the game on its head before the break. Brentford need the whistle to blow.
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What a strike from Phil Foden! De Bruyne’s corner drops to the little scamp about 15 yards out and he drills an angled half-volley into the top corner. Pick that out! 1-1.
GOAL! Man City 1-1 Brentford (Foden 45)
This isn’t happening for City until… boom!!
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42 min A couple of moments for Brentford at the City end remind the hosts that this isn’t just defence v attack. A fabulous pass from Ederson to De Bruyne launches a City forward thrust but Foden’s cross is over Haaland’s bonce.
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A theme is emerging in your comments. “If a City player falls over, is it a subject for VAR review?” asks Peter Lilley.
Stephen Carr adds: “I’m sure Man City Twitter will find a way to weave these VAR decisions into their plucky outsider narrative and blame the established European footy elite. Or something.”
40 min Better from City. De Bruyne bursts through the middle and finds Foden. The England man cuts in from the left and thumps a shot goalwards which is beaten away by Raya. I think that’s City’s first actual shot on target.
38 min A City corner is defended well by Brentford despite some now obligatory “handball” shouts from the crowd as the hosts try to get a shot off and see it blocked by various body parts.
37 min Pep has a furrowed brow. He’s gone for the “afternoon shopping trip to the Trafford Centre” look today and may wish he’d spent it there if this continues to go the same way. Then further frustration for City as Haaland picks up a booking for being too robust. A collective groan from fantasy managers.
34 min Brentford finally get forward to ease the pressure but City win the ball back and immediately go on the attack. Cancelo’s cross is headed away by Mee and Henry smashes it further to safety.
32 min After all that palaver, the clock has ticked on and Brentford will now be looking to see this out until half-time. City win a corner down the right and there’s yet another VAR appeal after Gundogan’s shot hits an arm at very close range. Nah, not for me Clive and VAR’s check agrees. Apparently Laporte was also being grappled in the area, notes Lucy Ward on co-comms and that’s also under scrutiny. Is there a world record for VAR appeals in a 10-minute period? This must surely be a contender.
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30 min Pep and the City fans may feel disgruntled to be 0-3 in VAR penalty appeals but all those decisions looked fair to be honest.
29 min It’s all happening now and City have another double appeal for a penalty after incidents involving Haaland and De Bruyne. Again VAR has a look but once more computer says no.
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27 min No penalty. It is indeed handball but there is “no conclusive evidence that it was inside the box” is the word from VAR HQ
26 min Big shouts for a penalty as Bernardo gets to the byline and chips a ball onto the hand/arm of Henry. To be honest, it looks outside the box. VAR are having a look.
25 min City have had 92% possession in the last five minutes says an on-screen stat. Foden slips in Gundogan but Brentford are covering every City move so far and he’s blocked off.
23 min Rodri has a pop from 25 yards but it doesn’t trouble the goal. City haven’t lost at home in the Premier League since Spurs beat them here in February. Since then they’ve only dropped four points at home.
22 min Plenty of time for City but this just isn’t going to script. Haaland never gets many touches in a game and it’s been the same here. He often scores a hat-trick regardless but the difference here is that Brentford have stopped him getting any shots on target.
20 min Here’s a stat for you: Brentford have never lost a top-flight game when taking the lead since they were promoted two seasons ago.
18 min City look for a quick response and De Bruyne’s whipped left-foot cross just avoids both Haaland and Foden and drifts past the far post.
Are you watching Gareth?! A Brentford free-kick is headed into the penalty area by Mee and Stones is playing Toney onside. The striker challenges for the ball with Laporte and his header loops over Ederson and Brentford have the lead!
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GOAL! Man City 0-1 Brentford (Toney 16)
And now they are in front!
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15 min The first third of the first-half has flown by and Brentford will be happy with everything so far. They may even feel disappointed not to be in front.
14 min De Bruyne breaks through the middle and finds Foden on the left. He takes the return ball but the Belgian’s left-foot shot from the edge of the box is blocked well by the alert Brentford defence.
13 min Foden tries a little dummy on the edge of the box from De Bruyne’s pass but Brentford have too many legs on hand (strange phrase but I’ll go with it) and crowd Haaland out.
12 min Brentford are pressing high and they force Ederson into a semi-mistake from his clearance. It doesn’t cost City this time but there are warning signs and Pep looks concerned.
10 min First good moments for City. De Bruyne curls in a cute cross from the left which a leaping Haaland diverts back across goal but over Gundogan’s head. The big Norwegian then has another shot following a corner but this one is deflected over and nothing comes of that.
7 min Brentford win a corner on the left which Ederson just about gathers. This is a most unexpected start. The ‘City will have their minds on the World Cup’ conspiracy theorists are nodding sagely.
6 min Another huge chance for Brentford! De Bruyne gives the ball away in the final third and Henry bursts away down the left wing. Mbeumo plays his cross back to Toney, whose shot from 12 yards out is well saved by the diving Ederson. He should probably have scored.
5 min Bright start this from Brentford. Mbuemo, who is making his 150th start for the club, tries a shot from the edge of the box but it’s blocked. The Bees continue to make the early running.
4 min Big chance for Brentford. Onyeka is played through on goal by Henry but his first touch is a tad heavy and Ederson blocks his shot from close range.
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3 min City settle down into their usual passing rhythms, the ball going back to Ederson, who calmly slides a ball through two Brentford attackers.
1 min Nice little touch by Toney on the edge of the City box before he whips in a cross that’s headed clear. Just about all Brentford possession in the opening minute. That won’t last!
1 min We’re in play! Peter Bankes blows his whistle and Brentford launch it long.
There’s a big red poppy in the centre circle and a sign on the scoreboard says “Manchester remembers”. The two managers lay poppy wreaths on the side of the pitch before the last post plays to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
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Brentford are going with three at the back – Pinnock, Mee and Zanka.
Here come the players! Nice to see Brentford wearing their normal kit rather than some ridiculous away strip made of ideas.
A BT poll graphic shows that 75% of viewers think Man City will win the title. The other 25% go for Arsenal. Presumably there were only two voting options although, to be fair, is anyone else in with a sniff?
Bernardo Silva’s beard is getting quite thick now. Hope it doesn’t affect his sublime balance. City have 16 internationals going to the World Cup. “See any signs of distraction; minds elsewhere,” asks BT’s Des Kelly. “No, not at all, not at all” says Bernardo firmly. “We know how important it is to be focused in these kind of games.”
Peter from Copenhagen notes the Brentford starting XI and emails: “Is 3 Danes at Brentford enough to beat Man City? Don’t they need Norgaard (on the bench) too, to be sure of a victory?”
Add in a couple of Laudrups and a Jan Molby and they might have a chance, Peter. Talking of Denmark…
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Thomas Frank comes over for a word. His plans for the World Cup break? “I’m looking so much forward to it. I’m going skiing Sunday. So for me it’s perfect. It’s nice to be able to take a break.”
As for his players who aren’t heading to the World Cup, they’ll have two weeks off and then start a mini pre-season in Spain.
Peter Crouch thrusts a BT mic his way and asks how Ivan Toney is feeling after his World Cup omission. “Ivan is a person with a strong character and a strong mentality,” says Frank. “Of course you’re disappointed if you miss out on an opportunity to represent your country in a World Cup but what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger and he’ll definitely be stronger after this and continue to develop. Every little setback for everyone is an opportunity to grow and be better.”
Good perspective from the Dane. Plenty of hygge in the air.
A few Opta stats that may hint at what’s to come.
Manchester City are averaging more high turnovers per game than any other side in the Premier League this season (10.8), while only Everton (27) have faced more shots from high turnovers than Brentford so far this term (25).
Only Nottingham Forest and Everton (both 16%) have played a higher percentage of their passes long in the Premier League this season than Brentford (15.6%). Indeed, David Raya has completed 60 passes to Ivan Toney, the most a goalkeeper has played to a non-defender in the competition so far this term.
Kevin De Bruyne has fired more shots from outside the box than any other player in the Premier League this season (24), with two of his three goals so far coming from distance. Meanwhile, only Tottenham (93) have faced more shots from outside the box than Brentford (92) so far this term.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wanders onto the pitch to chat to the BT Sport crew and Rio Ferdinand (now an OBE) points out that City have won their last 16 home games in all competitions.
“We are confident to play at home, it’s better to play at home than away, that’s normal,” says Pep.
“The 16, this number is no guarantee that you’re going to win. We have to adapt to what they do, they are good in transition with the two strikers, the set pieces they are so good.”
Ivan Toney will surely be pumped for this one. He’s returning from a one-match suspension while Gareth Southgate left him out of England’s World Cup squad.
And in tweet form…
🔵 TEAM NEWS 🔵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 12, 2022
XI | Ederson, Stones, Akanji, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan (C), Bernardo, Haaland, Foden
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Dias, Phillips, Grealish, Alvarez, Gomez, Mahrez, Palmer, Lewis #ManCity | @HaysWorldwide pic.twitter.com/KjrbnIzIZ4
Your Bees to take on Manchester City 👊🐝#BrentfordFC | #MCIBRE | @BlueJeansNet
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) November 12, 2022
Full starting XIs…
Three changes for City as Haaland, Foden and Laporte come in for Alvarez, Grealish and Ake.
Man City: Ederson, Stones, Cancelo, Gundogan, Haaland, Laporte, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Akanji, Foden.
Substitutes: Moreno, Dias, Phillips, Grealish, Alvarez, Gomez, Mahrez, Palmer, Lewis.
Brentford: Raya, Henry, Pinnock, Jensen, Zanka, Onyeka, Mee, Toney, Mbeumo, Janelt, Roerslev.
Substitutes: Cox, Norgaard, Canos, Dasilva, Wissa, Ghoddos, Lewis-Potter, Crama, Yarmoliuk.
Team news: Haaland starts for City
Full starting XIs coming up but the big news is that Erling Haaland starts!
Preamble
Manchester City haven’t quite been the unstoppable force most have billed them as all season. But in terms of home form they’ve been perfect. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Southampton, Brighton and Fulham have all been swatted away and only the latter got to within a goal. Then again, City played that game with 10 men for 74 minutes following Joao Cancelo’s red card.
They come up against a Brentford side who are one of just four top-flight teams without an away win so far. It’s hard to think that run ends here.
Still, Brentford gave City two competitive games last season, losing 2-0 in this fixture and only 1-0 at home. City only managed three shots on target in that single-goal defeat so perhaps Thomas Frank has found a way of stopping City’s relentless possession turning into threats on goal. Famous last words perhaps.
Of course, the other sub-plot here is World Cup injury watch. Qatar-bound managers will be watching this weekend’s action with hearts in mouths so hopefully everyone comes through unscathed.
City go top again with a win but Arsenal can secure the Christmas No 1 spot with victory at Wolves in tonight’s evening kick-off. So, for a final time until Boxing Day, let Premier League battle commence.
Kick off 12.30pm GMT.
