Unfocused and ill-inspired, Manchester City lost three crucial points in the title race against Brentford (1-2) while Tottenham still trembled against Leeds (4-3), Saturday, during the 16th day of the championship. ‘England.
With ten of the eleven holders leaving for the World Cup, it was predictable that Manchester City would not offer their best face against Brentford, despite the stakes of the meeting.
Pep Guardiola’s players finally delivered one of their worst performances of the season, creating only a very limited number of chances.
More opportunistic, the Londoners opened the scoring at the end of the first quarter of an hour by Ivan Toney, thanks to two aerial duels won successively in the penalty area (16th, 0-1). Phil Foden’s half-volley winner just before the break was City’s only real chance (45+1, 1-1).
The City collective crumbled a little more in the second half, and it was Brentford who created the greatest number of chances.
Apart from two shots from Joao Cancelo (57th, 77th), City have never been able to be dangerous, let alone find Erling Haaland, the only non-globalist, who had scored in his last six league matches at the Etihad Stadium.
Ivan Toney scored his second goal in the 8th minute of added time, after being involved in two other big chances (72nd, 90+1). Brentford even offered a three against a surrealist, with Kevin de Bruyne as the last defender who saved the ball from 3-1 on his line.
“The best team won, recognized Pep Guardiola at the microphone of the BBC. “Normally, we manage to press and recover the ball, but the opponent knew how to make long passes forward, which we could not intercept. We also faced some very good defenders. »
Leader Arsenal could take the opportunity to take a five-point lead when they travel to relegated Wolverhampton (8:45 p.m.).
– Liverpool on their way –
The Spurs are definitely specialists in victories on the wire. Still battered by a daring formation from Leeds, they won on the wire (4-3) and consolidated their third place.
Leeds however managed to lead three times, thanks to goals from Crysencio Summerville (10th) and Rodrigo (43rd and 76th). Tottenham equalized three times in a maximum of 15 minutes (Harry Kane in the 25th, Ben Davies in the 51st, then Rodrigo Bentancur in the 81st).
The Uruguayan scored the winning goal just two minutes after the third equaliser, with a success reminiscent of that of the last Champions League match in Marseille (2-1 victory).
For their part, the Liverpool Reds won against Southampton (3-1) their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions. A first since the series in May, which was interrupted in the Champions League final against Real Madrid (0-1).
Jürgen Klopp’s players made the difference in the first period, with a quick opener from Roberto Firmino (6th). Darwin Nunez then scored his first double since arriving in Liverpool (21st, 42nd).
Liverpool temporarily rises to sixth place, five points behind Newcastle, fourth and first to qualify for the next Champions League.