Pep Guardiola admitted he was left “sad” after another twist in Manchester City’s crazy season.
Brentford fans chanted in sheer delight: “2-0 and you f***ed it up” which just about summed it all up after a bonkers but brilliant game.
City were cruising after Phil Foden struck twice, Kevin De Bruyne was back towards his imperious best and they had a two goal lead with just eight minutes left.
But City’s ability to press the self-destruct button struck again as Yoane Wissa pulled one back to set up a grandstand finish before Christian Norgaard hit a 92nd minute leveller.
Incredibly, it took a goal line clearance from City defender Nathan Ake to stop Bryan Mbeumo’s header from Brentford snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
City boss Guardiola said: “Of course we are sad because we were close to winning and could not win but sometimes it happens. But I’m incredibly satisfied with the performance.
“Always there are positives. Negatives of course but we are happy for many things we have done. I would say it has not been enough but there are positive things.”
Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “Our fans were happy and proud at the end. I just said to the players in there that I was extremely happy and proud of the performance.”
The sorry truth for City is that the winning machine of old simply does not throw away games like this. After three straight wins – including the 8-0 demolition of Salford City in the FA Cup – they are nowhere near back to their best and a long way off the top.
City’s biggest flaw was their weakness and indecisive defending and Brentford feasted on it and, at the final whistle, the Gtech Stadium stood and applauded off their heroes. It was one hell of an effort.
You could also not see it coming from when City took a 66th minute lead. De Bruyne’s sublime cross from the right was steered in by Foden.
It looked all over when City got a second after 78 minutes as this time Savinho – the Brazil winger who looks certain to be part of the new generation – saw his shot beaten away by Brentford keeper Mark Flekken.
There was Foden just ahead of De Bruyne to score from the rebound and it looked quite comfortable for City.
But huge credit to Brentford as they never gave up. Wissa scored after 82 minutes when he was left unmarked and had time to control in the six yard box, turn and then fire home.
City nearly got a third but could not kill it off. And they were made to pay. Keane Lewis-Potter’s cross found Norgaard and his header crept inside the post despite City keeper Stefan Ortega’s best efforts.
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