Brentford claimed a stunning 2-1 win over champions Manchester City to end the first stanza of the season on a high. With the result, the Bees claimed a first win in Manchester since December 1937.
Having needed a late Haaland penalty to defeat Fulham last weekend, Manchester City were looking to deliver a statement performance in the last match before the World Cup. They were faced by a Brentford side that has struggled to win games in recent weeks.
The Bees started the match with greater intensity and Nigerian midfielder Frank Onyeka missed a good chance when he shot straight at Ederson in the early stages. English striker Ivan Toney, however, would not make the same mistake as he punished City’s pensive defending.
A route-one free-kick from David Raya was headed on by Ben Mee, and Toney leapt above Aymeric Laporte to direct a looping header into the back of the net in the 16th minute of the match. It was his ninth goal of the season in the Premier League.
Manchester City came roaring back and began to pepper the Brentford goal without success. Their goal eventually came in first-half added time through Phil Foden. The Englishman fired home a half-volley after Manuel Akanji headed on a Kevin De Bruyne corner.
The home side continued to exert control but had some defending to do, with only a last-gasp Aymeric Laporte clearance denying Toney a second of the game following a cross from Rico Henry.
Erling Haaland was largely anonymous, but he created a brilliant chance for Ilkay Gundogan, who snatched at his attempt and sent it high and wide from inside the box.
Toney would have the last laugh in the game as he scored in the 98th minute following a perfectly-executed counter. Yoanne Wissa picked up the ball in his half and ran half the length of the pitch before picking out fellow substitute Josh Da Silva, who put in a brilliant low cross for Toney to tap home from close range. It was a perfect response from the striker, who was dropped from the English squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Bees have now defeated both Manchester sides this season, but this was their first win in Manchester since 1937.
