In a classic Premier League game at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford overcame a two-goal deficit to grab a 2-2 draw against Manchester City.
The match provided non-stop excitement as City looked to be heading for victory before a fierce battle from Brentford, proving once again why they have one of the best home records in the division.
The first half ended goalless, but it was far from uneventful. Both sides showed intent, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa causing City’s defense problems early on.
Bumo went close in the 16th minute, forcing City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega into a fine save.
Moments later, City’s Erling Haaland missed a golden opportunity, heading just wide from a well-placed Kevin De Bruyne cross.
City had 62% of the possession in the first half, with De Bruyne creating five chances – more than any other player on the pitch.
However, the visitors were wasteful in front of goal, with Savinho hitting the post and Haaland’s efforts failing to trouble Mark Flecken in the Bradford net.
WE DON’T GIVE UP 💪 pic.twitter.com/QjcfmRwsJW
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 14, 2025
The home side, meanwhile, showed promise on the counter-attack but lacked precision in the final third.
City finally broke the deadlock in the 66th minute through Phil Foden. De Bruyne, who had been instrumental all afternoon, delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box and Foden deflected the ball past Flecken to make it 1-0.
Just 12 minutes later, Foden doubled City’s lead. Savinho’s initial effort was saved by Flecken but the rebound fell kindly to Foden, who missed the target to give City a seemingly commanding 2-0 lead.
However, the Bees refused to give up. Brentford pulled one back in the 82nd minute, courtesy of Visa. Mads Roerslev produced a teasing cross into the box and Wissa took advantage of Nathan Ake’s missed clearance to send his shot into the top corner. The goal galvanized the home crowd and set the stage for the standout finish.
The drama reached its peak in the delays. In the 92nd minute, Keane Lewis-Potter worked down the right and crossed for Christian Norgaard, who rose above the City defense and fired the ball home. Ortega got a hand but couldn’t keep it out and the ball nestled into the net to spark wild celebrations.
Brentford almost grabbed all three points moments later when Mbeumo’s shot beat Ortega, but Ake made a heroic clearance off the line to preserve a point for City.
