14th January, 2025
Brentford staged an incredible comeback to draw 2-2 with Manchester City at Gtech Community Stadium, thanks to Christian Norgaard’s dramatic equalizer in added time.
The Bees were trailing by two goals, but they refused to give up, scoring twice in the final eight minutes to snatch a point.
Manchester City’s patchy season continued as they squandered a two-goal lead, courtesy of Phil Foden’s second-half brace.
The champions’ failure to secure three points will be a disappointment, especially after top-four rivals Chelsea dropped points against Bournemouth.
The match got off to a lively start, with Yoane Wissa firing a warning shot wide of Stefan Ortega’s post in the opening minutes. However, Brentford’s reluctance to press City gave Josko Gvardiol ample time on the ball, and he almost scored with a drilled right-footed attempt that was kept out by Mark Flekken.
Brentford’s attacking duo of Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, who were absent from the starting XI in Saturday’s FA Cup loss, proved their importance to the team. They were aggressive off the ball and created several scoring opportunities, including a powerful effort from Mbeumo that tested Ortega.
Despite City being second-best for much of the first half, Kevin De Bruyne’s creativity almost led to a goal for Erling Haaland. De Bruyne whipped an outswinging cross to Haaland, whose header sailed wide from six yards.
The action-packed clash continued after the break, with both sides creating scoring opportunities. Brentford’s Nathan Collins nodded a free header wide, while Savinho’s shot cannoned off the post. City eventually took the lead through Foden, who turned home De Bruyne’s curling ball in the 66th minute.
Foden completed his brace 12 minutes later, and City seemed on course for three points. However, Wissa gave Brentford hope when he pulled one back with eight minutes remaining. Norgaard’s valiant midfield display was rewarded in added time when he equalized, heading an effort goalwards that Ortega could not keep out.
