Far from the poor performance of its competitors, Manchester City continues to chart its course. The Skyblues went to seek a narrow victory Wednesday, December 29 on the lawn of Brentford (1-0), to consolidate their place at the top of the Premier League.
Phil Foden scored the only goal of the game, on a deflection of the left foot in front of the goal in the 15th minute. Then, the Cityzens managed (80% possession), believed to make the break thanks to Aymeric Laporte, before his goal was canceled by the Var (87th), and contained the attacks of a voluntary Brentford, but too messy.
FULL-TIME | Three crucial points!
0-1 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/tzHSvVdPMf
– Manchester City (@ManCity) December 29, 2021
Because the men of Thomas Frank have almost achieved the masterstroke against the team in shape of the moment. Seconds before Foden’s goal, they had had a golden opportunity to take the lead and get their pace on the game. But Yoane Wissa and then Ivan Toney missed the target, and the Bees were punished on the next action. They were never really able to worry Ederson and the opposing defense afterwards.
With this precious success, Manchester City takes the lead in the championship. Pep Guardiola’s men are now eight and nine points ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool respectively.
Earlier in the evening, Chelsea were hooked by Brighton (1-1) at Stamford Bridge. Solid, the Blues had mastered the entire first period, and had been put into orbit by Romelua Lukaku, with a powerful header from a corner, half an hour into the game. But they suffered more in the second act, and finished by being caught in extra time, on a magnificent cross header from the returning Danny Welbeck. They miss two points, and a lot of regrets.
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The men of Thomas Tuchel, who still show several absences (Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva, injured, Timo Werner and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, positive for Covid-19, Kai Havertz back from health protocol, to which are added Reece James and Andreas Christensen, affected tonight), miss the opportunity to capitalize on their good victory earlier in the week against Aston Villa, and continue to mark time in the Premier League. The result nevertheless allows them to take second place in the championship in Liverpool, defeated Tuesday by Leicester, but with one game more than the Reds.