Foden shines as City beat Brentford to go eight points clear

Phil Foden marked his return to the Manchester City side by scoring the only goal as Pep Guardiola’s side opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Brentford.

Foden hadn’t started since Guardiola had warned his players about their off-field behaviour after both he and Jack Grealish were reportedly pictured in a nightclub and then dropped for the clash at Newcastle.

But he was vibrant throughout a tight contest at the Brentford Community Stadium, and struck the crucial blow on 16 minutes as he met Kevin De Bruyne’s cross to tuck home from close range, and survive a VAR review for offside.

Brentford ended 2021 with another dogged performance against the defending Premier League champions, and had chances to break the deadlock during a frenetic five-minute spell as Yoane Wissa’s shot was cleared off the line by Joao Cancelo.

Kevin De Bruyne rattled the woodwork in the second period while Foden had a second goal chalked off for offside, but Ederson was untroubled as he recorded a 12th league clean sheet of the season.

The result means Brentford remain in 14th position on 20 points from their 18 games, while City head to Arsenal at the Emirates for the early kick-off on New Year’s Day knowing they could establish a daunting 11-point lead at the top at the halfway stage.