Ivan Toney scored twice — including a goal in injury time (90′ + 8′) — to lead Brentford over Manchester City, 2-1, despite both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden in the starting lineup.
“The best team won, we struggled from the beginning and we couldn’t deal with their long balls,” Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said. “Usually, you press the balls to win it but this was different. They defended so deep and so well. We didn’t have the dynamic today because we were dictated by long balls that we were losing. The game was so difficult, it was so tight. They did really well in the plan they had and were better.”
Toney missed out on the 26-man England squad for the World Cup in Qatar, and came out looking to send a message.
The loss for City means Arsenal are atop the Premier League table heading into the World Cup, and Christmas break.
“We have done exceptionally in the Champions League and well in the Premier League,” Guardiola added. “We’ll come back and prepare for the second half of the season now.”
According to OptaJoe stats, Brentford have never lost a Premier League game when scoring first, winning 13 and finishing in a draw in three other matches of the 16 times they have scored first.
“One of the most satisfying wins we’ve had, I think the play-off final will always be the one, getting us to the promised land,” Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said, “But, of course, it is up there. Speaking to some people from the club, this is probably the single biggest ever result, against one of the richest clubs in the world and we have one of the lowest budgets in the division. We’re just a bus stop in Hounslow. From my perspective, it was well deserved if you look at the chances. I think we eliminated them. I’m unbelievably proud. We’re missing four of our starters as well. Mind-blowing performance.”
The 2-1 results on Saturday ended City’s streak of 20 matches unbeaten at home in all competitions since February 2022.
This was Brentford’s first away Premier League win of the season.
“We’ve just got to keep doing well and keep doing our best and who knows what can happen,” Toney said after the win. “Obviously it’s a disappointment but I know what I’m capable of and I won’t let it put me down. I’ll keep going and keep doing well for Brentford. The motivation is the boys in the dressing room and the fans.”
Toney’s goal at 97:16 was the latest winning goal scored against Manchester City in the Premier League since 2006-2007, recording as the competition’s third-latest winning goal ever.
City are away at Leeds on 28 December after the World Cup break. Brentford host Tottenham on Boxing Day.
