Manchester City 2 Brentford 2: City player ratings as City are stung late by the Bees | OneFootball

Manchester City 2 (Phil Foden 65′, 78′)

Brentford 2 (Yoanne Wissa 81, Christian Norgaard 92′)

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City drew 2-all with Brentford at the GTech Community Stadium. The result was probably a fair one on the balance of play over 90 minutes. But Pep Guardiola’s side will be disappointed to throw away a 2-goal lead late on.

It appears that it is only a matter of time before Kyle Walker departs the club. He was once again omitted from Manchester City’s matchday squad so that’s a story to monitor over the coming days.

First half

The game kicked off after a touching tribute to former Manchester City player and manager Tony Book. The game got off to a bright start with both teams making a lively start.

The game’s first shot came from Yoanne Wissa, who dragged a shot wide from the left-hand side of City’s area in the 6th minute. Manchester City’s first shot of the game came from Josko Gvardiol as he saw his right-footed effort from the edge of the area easily saved by Mark Flekken a minute later.

In the 15th minute, Stefan Ortega made his first save of the night. A swift Brentford counterattack saw Bryan Mbeumo left one-on-one with Josko Gvardiol. The dynamic winger cut inside from the right wing and his left-footed shot was well saved by Stefan Ortega. But the threat that Thomas Frank’s side offers on the counter was on full display.

After a brief lull in the game, it sparked back to life in the 20th minute. Brentford saw several good opportunities blocked by some determined Manchester City defending. From a swift City counter in the 25th minute, Matheus Nunes failed to get a shot off from a good position. Two minutes later Savinho fired a shot over after another quick City break.

In the 34th minute, Mateo Kovacic dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area after a well-worked corner routine.

Erling Haaland saw a shot easily saved by Mark Flekken after another flowing City move in the 39th minute as Manchester City began to take control of the game. Pep Guardiola’s side were having their best spell of the game late in the first half.

The game went into the interval at nil-all. Manchester City grew into the game as the first half wore on, although Brentford were a constant threat, especially on the break. The game was delicately poised at halftime.

Second half

Brentford fired the first shot in anger to start the second half. Nathan Collins headed just wide from just outside City’s six-yard box after a free kick from a dangerous position.

In the 48th minute, Savinho struck the post after a driving run from midfield. It was an unlucky moment for the Brazilian winger but the tone of the second half was set after the opening minutes.

After Bryan Mbeumo blazed over in the 51st minute from a good position for Brentford, Erling Haaland headed straight at Mark Flekken from a good position after a sumptuous ball from the right wing from Matheus Nunes. Haaland should’ve done better with the chance in all honesty.

In the 65th minute, Phil Foden would give Manchester City the lead. A well-worked City move saw Kevin De Bruyne play in a quality cross from City’s right-hand side. Phil Foden was on hand to finish past Mark Flekken to give Pep Guardiola’s side the lead. It was a fantastic ball from De Bruyne and a quality finish by Foden.

In the 70th minute, Nathan Ake saved Manchester City’s blushes as he cleared a Yoanne Wissa shot off the line with Stefan Ortega well-beaten.

Phil Foden scored his second of the game in the 78th minute. A shot from Savinho was well blocked by the Brentford defence but Foden was on hand to tap in the rebound to give Manchester City a 2-nil lead.

Brentford got themselves back in the game in the 81st minute. Yoanne Wissa was the beneficiary of some poor City defending to give his team a lifeline. A nervy final moments of the game awaited Manchester City as Brentford were pushing for an equaliser.

The hosts found their equaliser in the 92nd minute. A ball in from the right wing from Keane Lewis-Potter was headed home by Christian Noorgard. It was poor defending from the world champions to allow Brentford the opportunity to equalise.

Nathan Ake prevented Brentford from taking all three points as he made a desperate goal-line clearance to stop Bryan Mbeumo from giving Thomas Frank’s side the lead.

The game would finish 2-all. Manchester City would be disappointed to throw away a two-goal lead but Brentford did deserve something out of the game for how they played, especially in the second half.

Summary

The City player ratings reflect the nature of the game. Manchester City’s midfield ran out of legs late on, and Brentford gave as good as they got, but Pep Guardiola and his team will be kicking themselves that they threw away a 2-goal lead late on in such dramatic fashion. Manchester City simply must sign a midfielder this month, and that fact stood during the game’s final stages.

City player ratings

Stefan Ortega -6.5/10: He made several good saves but also had his nervy moments.

Matheus Nunes-7/10: Played at right-back and did his job. He showed some moments of quality in possession, and he wasn’t City’s worst performer.

Manuel Akanji-5.5/10: Akanji appeared to tire during the game’s closing stages. He wasn’t at his best over 90 minutes.

Nathan Ake-8/10: Made two crucial goalline clearances and was again City’s best centre-back during the game.

Josko Gvardiol-7.5/10: His best defensive performance for some time. Defended well and was good in possession. A positive performance from the Croatian.

Mateo Kovacic- 6.5/10: Had his moments in the first half but did appear to tire in the second half before he was replaced.

Kevin De Bruyne-8/10: The best performance from Kevin De Bruyne since he has returned from injury. He was City’s most creative player and he looked more like himself.

Bernardo Silva-5.5/10: He worked tirelessly for his team but looked to run out of legs late on.

Savinho-7/10: The Brazilian international had his moments of quality but had no luck in front of goal. On another day he could’ve been the hero of the game for Manchester City.

Phil Foden-9/10: Scored a brace and he now looks like the Phil Foden we have become accustomed to seeing. A great performance from Foden.

Erling Haaland-6.5/10: Put himself about and had his chances but his goal-scoring touch alluded him.

Substitutes

Ilkay Gundogan-4/10: Came on for Mateo Kovacic but he lacked the legs to make an impact.

James McAtee-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.