Manchester City 3-0 Brentford: Report, result and goals as Arsenal's lead cut to two points

"City laboured for long periods and, five days on from a damaging 3-3 draw at Everton that turned the title race in Arsenal's favour, it looked as if they might suffer another setback at the hands of Keith Andrews' side. But Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland, the players who rescued a point at Everton, ensured that would not be the case. Doku produced a near-carbon copy of his equaliser on Merseyside to break the deadlock on the hour mark, and 15 minutes later Haaland bundled home from close range to make the points safe."

"Haaland was the provider as Omar Marmoush added late gloss to the scoreline with an injury-time strike that could prove critical if the title race comes down to goal difference. City (+40) are now just a goal behind Arsenal on goal difference. Arsenal can re-establish a five-point buffer, albeit with City having a game in hand, when they visit relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday."

"Brentford drop to eighth place, which could still be enough for a maiden European campaign. However, now four points behind sixth-placed Bournemouth, their hopes of potential Champions League qualification look to be over. Manchester City avoid another title race setback. Doku always looked the most likely player to open the scoring for City and he forced Caoimhin Kelleher into action as early as the third minute."

"Brentford then forced City to clear off the line as the visitors struggled to deal with a long throw that was flapped at by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Still, City predictably created the better openings, with Haaland heading a presentable chance high and wide following a Doku pull back, before then being denied by Kelleher. City were given a scare early in the second half when Donnarumma was called into action to keep out a near-post effort from Brentford talisman Igor Thiago, but the evident tension at the Etihad Stadium was e"

Manchester City reduced Arsenal’s Premier League advantage to two points after a 3-0 win over Brentford. City struggled for long periods following a recent 3-3 draw at Everton that had swung the title race toward Arsenal. Jeremy Doku broke the deadlock on the hour with a goal similar to his equaliser at Everton. Erling Haaland then scored 15 minutes later from close range to secure the points. Omar Marmoush added an injury-time strike, extending the margin. The result leaves City only one goal behind Arsenal on goal difference. Arsenal can restore a five-point gap when they play West Ham, while Brentford’s European hopes fade as they fall further behind the race for sixth.

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