Phil Foden produced an outstanding display as his hat-trick put Manchester City two points off league leaders Liverpool as the champions came from behind to win 3-1 at Brentford.

Neal Maupay gave Brentford a surprise lead but Foden equalised just before half-time and he then added his second and third in the second half to claim the match ball.

How the match unfolded

Brentford made one change from their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last Wednesday with Sergio Reguilon coming in for Keane Lewis-Potter.

The big news for Man City was the return of Erling Haaland, who was making his first start since a 1-0 loss against Aston Villa on 6 December. Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva also returned to the side.

City started the match in control, with Mark Flekken called into action early as he denied two long-range strikes from Julian Alvarez and another from Walker.

However, it was Brentford who took a surprise lead in the 21st minute through Maupay as the French striker raced through on goal before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner.

Ivan Toney played a large part in the goal, as he held off Nathan Ake, but the official assist went to Mark Flekken, who becomes the first goalkeeper to record an assist in the Premier League since April 2023, when Brighton’s Jason Steele provided a goal against Brentford.

It is also a goal in a fifth consecutive appearance for Maupay in all competitions, his longest-ever scoring run for an English side.

Haaland then had a brilliant chance to equalise moments later when a poor backpass from Vitaly Janelt put him through on goal, but Flekken made another great save to keep Man City out.

Flekken was in inspired form in the first half, making nine saves, the most by any goalkeeper in a opening period since records began, but the visitors scored just before the break through Foden following a mistake from Ethan Pinnock as his header fell kindly to the City player, who finished past the goalkeeper.

Foden followed up his late goal in the first half with an early one in the second period as he got on the end of Kevin De Bruyne's cross and headed it past Flekken.

Brentford pushed for an equaliser, with Maupay, Toney and Christian Norgaard all going close, but they were unable to find their second goal.

Foden then completed his hat-trick and secured the win for Man City with 20 minutes to go as he finished off a well-worked move, assisted by Haaland.

Foden's third strike also meant it was a record number for goals in a single Matchweek, with 45 being scored across the 10 Premier League fixtures over the weekend.

Pep Guardiola's side ended the contest in comfortable fashion as they secure a fifth win in a row to move on to 49 points, two behind Liverpool, who have played a match more. 

Brentford, who have lost seven of their last eight matches, remain in 15th on 22 points, three points above 18th-place Everton.

Club reports

Brentford report | Man City report

Match officials

Referee: Jarred Gillett. Assistants: Neil Davies, Darren Cann. Fourth official: Stuart Attwell. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis.