The hosts end the champions’ winning streak with a last-minute equalizer
In a Premier League classic at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford fought back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against Manchester City.
The game provided non-stop excitement as City appeared to be on course for victory in the face of Brentford’s spirited resistance, proving once again why they boast one of the best home records in the division.
The first half ended goalless, but anything but uneventful. Both sides showed determination, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa causing City’s defense early problems.
Mbeumo came close in the 16th minute and forced City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega into a fine save.
A few moments later, City’s Erling Haaland wasted a golden chance when he headed narrowly wide from Kevin De Bruyne’s precise cross.
City had 62% possession in the first half, with De Bruyne creating five chances – more than any other player on the pitch.
Nevertheless, the visitors were wasteful in front of goal, Savinho hitting the post and Haaland’s attempts failing to trouble Mark Flekken in the Brentford net.
WE NEVER GIVE UP 💪 pic.twitter.com/QjcfmRwsJW
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 14, 2025
The hosts, meanwhile, showed promising counterattacks, but lacked precision in the final third.
City finally made their breakthrough in the 66th minute through Phil Foden. De Bruyne, who played an important role all evening, hit a perfectly weighted cross into the box and Foden directed the ball past Flekken to make it 1-0.
Just 12 minutes later, Foden doubled City’s lead. Savinho’s first attempt was parried by Flekken, but the rebound fell kindly to Foden, who fired the ball into the goal, seemingly giving City a comfortable 2-0 lead.
However, the Bees refused to give up. Brentford equalized in the 82nd minute thanks to Wissa. Mads Roerslev delivered a teasing cross into the box and Wissa took advantage of a miss from Nathan Ake to fire his shot into the top corner. The goal thrilled the home crowd and set the stage for a grandstand finish.
The drama reached its climax in stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Keane Lewis-Potter worked his way forward down the right and crossed to Christian Norgaard, who rose above the City defense and headed the ball towards the goal. Ortega had the ball but couldn’t block it and the ball ended up in the net, sparking wild celebrations.
Brentford almost took all three points moments later when Mbeumo’s shot beat Ortega, but Ake made a heroic save off the line to earn City a point.
