Manchester City kept their title hopes alive by scoring three goals in the second half of their Premier League game against Brentford.
Published May 9, 2026
Manchester City kept their slim hopes of winning the Premier League alive with a 3-0 win over Brentford thanks to Jeremy Doku.
Josep Guardiola’s side struggled to beat Brentford’s opener for almost an hour at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
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But Doc’s latest stunning strike broke the deadlock before Erling Haaland scored his 26th league goal of the season.
Omar Marmouche scored an important win for City in stoppage time.
City closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to two points, putting Mikel Arteta’s side back under pressure to win against third-place West Ham on Sunday.
After Monday’s 3-3 draw with Everton, which left the fate of the title in Arsenal’s hands, City did their best to prolong the drama.
City have a game against Arsenal after this weekend, but the Gunners can secure their first title in 22 years if they win their remaining games against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.
Guardiola’s side face Palace on Wednesday before turning their attention to the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 16.
City winger Doc forced an early save from Caoichhin Kelleher as he foresaw his contribution to the match.
However, Michael Cayode’s long throw went off the line after the City keeper tried to catch the ball, allowing Gianluigi Donnarumma to almost give Brentford a goal.
Donnarumma’s lackadaisical effort was matched by City’s frantic attempts to seize the initiative.
Haaland headed unnecessarily high and wide when Doc’s cross deflected off the striker just six yards from goal.
Haaland parried a Doc cut-back from close range, but Kelleher parried the rebound before Nathan Ake turned the rebound to the groans of City’s irritated fans.
Bernardo Silva escaped with a caution after the City midfielder hurled abuse at Nathan Collins.
City were equally lethargic at the start of the second half, with Donnarumma having to save from Igor Thiago’s low drive.
Guardiola introduced Marmouche and Phil Foden in a bid to revitalize City, and the move has had immediate results.
Doc scored twice against Everton with an eye-catching curler and repeated the trick in the 60th minute to end Brentford’s resistance.
After his initial shot was blocked, Doc grabbed the rebound and fired a superb shot from the left side of the penalty area into the top corner.
Foden almost added one for Doc’s fourth goal in the last three games, but Kelleher leveled the score with a shot from close range.
City remained vulnerable at the back and Kevin Shade called for a penalty after being touched by Matheus Nunez, but to no avail.
Haaland eased City’s nerves in the 75th minute with a backheel from close range after his first shot was blocked by Antoine Semenyo’s cross.
Marmouche’s composed finish from inside the area in the final seconds widened City’s lead, which was now just one goal behind Arsenal.
