Premier League | Foden’s hat-trick leads Man Metropolis to win over Brentford

Phil Foden of Manchester Metropolis celebrates after scoring a aim in opposition to Brentford FC at Brentford Neighborhood Stadium on February 5, 2024
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Photographs

Phil Foden grabbed the highlight from fit-again Manchester Metropolis superstars Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne by scoring a hat trick in a come-from-behind 3-1 win at Brentford that moved the champions two factors behind Liverpool in a congested English Premier League summit on Monday.

Metropolis’s opponents would possibly be capable of cease Haaland from scoring or shut down the house for help king De Bruyne, however there’ll at all times be a top-class participant someplace within the staff to inflict the injury.

Foden was that participant in opposition to Brentford as he led Metropolis’s restoration after Neal Maupay’s Twenty first-minute aim in opposition to the run of play for the hosts.

The England midfielder equalized in first-half stoppage time by pouncing on a poor defensive clearance, headed residence the go-ahead aim within the 53rd, and accomplished his second profession hat trick within the seventieth with a piercing run and composed end.

“It’s most likely the perfect type I’ve had in a Metropolis shirt for a very long time, persistently. Lengthy could that proceed,” Foden stated. His aim tally improved to 14 in all competitions.

Foden has received all of it along with his boyhood membership after coming by the academy however hasn’t at all times been an everyday. He’s now and is especially having fun with enjoying in a central attacking-midfield function — the place he’s nearer to the striker and extra of a aim risk — moderately than out on the wing.

“It’d assist if I performed in a single place and learnt that place each sport,” Foden stated of his choice for a central function. “I’m an individual that adapts and performs in a whole lot of positions when wanted. I do know on this Man Metropolis aspect I’m going to do this — play in a whole lot of positions — and I have to be prepared.

“I am simply having fun with enjoying within the center. That is the place I see myself enjoying my finest soccer so hopefully I can hold getting extra sport time there.”

Metropolis is placing collectively a well-known successful streak within the second half of the season — that’s 5 in a row within the league since Dec. 27 and 9 straight in all competitions — and has all of its key gamers again wholesome, with prime scorer Haaland making his first begin after a virtually two-month damage absence.

It makes Metropolis the favourite for the title as soon as once more, with Pep Guardiola’s staff having a sport in hand over Liverpool and third-placed Arsenal. Solely two factors separates the highest three.

Arsenal is tied for factors with Metropolis in third, however has an inferior aim distinction.

Haaland got here off within the 86th minute. He didn’t add to his 14 objectives for the marketing campaign — tied for essentially the most with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah — however did lay on the third for Foden, who was thrown a Metropolis scarf from the group as he celebrated in entrance of the away followers. Foden wrapped it spherical his neck earlier than chucking it again into the supporters.

“He’s enjoying his finest season since we’ve been collectively,” Guardiola stated.

Metropolis had been surprised by Maupay’s aim that got here from an unlikely supply. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken’s aim kick went straight down the center of the sector, between two defenders disturbed by the presence of Ivan Toney, and into the trail of Maupay.

The French striker slotted it residence and Metropolis was dropping to the staff that did the home-and-away double over the champions final season.

Foden made positive that received’t occur this time spherical, grabbing the equalizer after Ethan Pinnock made a poor clearing header that looped up straight to the midfielder. Foden managed the ball and produced a peaceful end.

De Bruyne, making a second straight begin after his personal lengthy damage layoff, was harmful all through however was struggling to search out his man within the space earlier than he delivered a pinpoint cross for Foden to move residence his second. His third would quickly comply with in a efficiency that will need to have excited England coach Gareth Southgate forward of the European Championship this summer season.