Brentford 2, Manchester City 2
Manchester City threw away a 2-0 lead with 12 minutes to go as they had to make do with a draw at Brentford.
Embed from Getty ImagesChristian Norgaard scored a 92nd minute headed equaliser for the Bees after Yoane Wissa had started the comeback in the 82nd minute at the Gtech Community Stadium.
It was more hard to take late drama as City – who were 2-0 up through a second half double by Phil Foden – had to settle for the point after they again lost control of the game like they had done in recent weeks against Manchester United and Feyenoord.
After the elation of the 8-0 win over Salford City with a mixture of youth and experience manager Pep Guardiola reverted to his tried and tested lineup – making 8 changes again as only Ake, Savinho, and Matheus Nunes retained their places from the weekend’s big win over the League Two promotion hopefuls.
And Brentford might have snatched an even later winner but Bryan Mbeumo’s goalbound strike was cleared off the line by Nathan Ake.
And although City had a motivated Kevin De Bruyne – who supplied the cross for Foden’s first goal after 66 minutes, with the England man stabbing home City’s second 12 minutes later after Brentford ‘keeper Mark Flekken had parried Savinho’s strike.
Indeed, if City were able to take their chances – Savinho and Haaland had efforts saved while James McAtee shot wide – then they might not be in this predicament.
And all this comes against the backdrop of green shoots of recovery after a draw and three wins in their last 4 games – including a confidence boosting 8-0 thrashing of Salford City in the FA Cup last weekend.
If the recent run meant that City were turning the corner at last after a dreadful run in November and December, with new signings seemingly on the horizon as City looked to splash the cash to refresh a squad that may soon be losing captain Kyle Walker, then they need to think again.
The draw leaves City in 6th place – only two points behind Chelsea in 4th – the bare minimum requirement for Champions League football next season.
And a tougher spell of games is on the horizon with this season’s participation in the Champions League at stake with games against Paris St Germain and Club Brugge coming up.