Alas, there was to be no repeat of last season’s quite wonderful result at The Ethiad. Instead, Manchester City earned a 1-0 win over a Brentford side who, despite spending huge periods of this game on the back foot (City with 25 shots and 70% possession), had their own chances to win this one.
For The Bees, Thomas Frank chose to mix things up a little. Zanka came in for Nathan Collins, Wissa in place of Neal Maupay and Frank Onyeka for Mathias Jensen.
They were changes that worked quite magnificently as, with total respect to those replaced, The Bees looked ten times better than against Liverpool at the weekend. So well organised and looking to break at speed on the counter. City left frustrated – to the point of Pep having to try and placate his own fans in that opening period – by Brentford’s disciplined and well organised approach. Not to mention a little of our own gamesmanship when it game to time management.
Brentford gave it their all. Defending like Trojans. Disciplined in the build-up. Breaking at speed when the chance arose and, being honest, with the better of the early opportunities.
Frank Onyeka, released by Wissa’s delightful pass through the middle, running at City with only Ederson in nets between him and 1-0. Perhaps, on reflection, he should have looked for Toney but instead went for goal with defenders catching up and a soft effort came to nothing. Another chance just prior to half time saw him unmarked but Ederson was equal to his goalwards header.
Ivan Toney, likewise, could have opened proceedings with a trademark freekick that drifted marginally over the crossbar. It was so close to the opener. Perhaps he needed to readjust the ref’s foam?
Yet being honest, it was City who were stronger in the attack. Looked more likely to score. Bernado Silva and Alvarez with early chances. When they did get one on target there was Mark Flekken. Fine stops from several players, Dias in particular, kept things level. When he was eventually beaten there was Ben Mee with a quite brilliant clearance off the line to deny Bobb the game’s opening goal.
All this just in the opening period. 0-0 at half-time and more of the same after the break. The Bees continuing with their disciplined approach – sorry to repeat but there are no better words – to wear City down. A heroic point looking more and more on the cards until, eventually, the dam broke.
Who else but Erling Haaland? His first goal against Brentford after being put through by Alvarez in the 71st minute. A rare slip from the otherwise solid Ajer allowing him the time to run at Flekken who was finally beaten. Hearts broken. 1-0 City. Those the margins between dreamland and despair.
It could have been more. Haaland was denied a second for offside. Flekken continued to pull out the saves, with a late pair from Phil Foden the stand outs. The Bees kept pushing but even Flekken’s sortie up field for a 95th minute corner not quite enough to save the day.
It ended 1-0. Heads held high and the Bees still in 14th place. The next game being Monday night’s trip to West Ham.
Until then, we have our usual look at the top five and our star player for Brentford. Five points for tart, four for second etc with the totals added up weekly as we look for an overall player of the season after game 38.
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 25 (vs Manchester City)
1st (Star player: five points) – Mark Flekken
February is starting to feel a bit copy/paste.
In the build-up to this one I heard that Mark made 12 saves when City visited the Gtech earlier this month – the most in a league game since 2019.
To that you can add another 10 from this game. Mark has entered a vein of form that money just can’t buy. Against the two teams slugging it out for the title, he’s made Brentford look like genuine opponents rather than a third wheel in whatever is going on between Liverpool and City.
All being well, those not able to make this game / follow it via other means will have the chance to reflect on the highlights today. Despite losing, Mark’s performance warrants further, positive, scrutiny.
Had he connected with the ball, rather than Rodri, when he went up for that last gasp corner it would have been his moment to crown them all. Instead, he’ll need to settle for a third star player award in the last four games.
2nd (four points) – Frank Onyeka
Hats off, Frank. Being honest I expect most of us predicted the same midfield as the weekend. Instead, with Mathias being held back, Frank was given his opportunity following an AFCON campaign that saw him go all the way to the final.
Well, he picked up where he left off. Without wanting to go all ‘plucky losers’, in a game of few chances for Brentford he was at the heart of them. We all know how good City are yet he played as though they were just the next team in his way rather than the best club side in the world.
It will be very interesting to see if Thomas sticks with the same for West Ham or reverts to his normal selections. A selection headache of the nicest sort.
3rd (three points) – Christian Norgaard
The man to dominate midfield play for Brentford, once more. Given our approach of absorbing the play and forcing City to come on to us, his role in that deep position was probably even more crucial than ever.
The skipper didn’t disappoint. He never does though. Forty passes saw him outrank every other player in the Brentford team. It’s a stat normally headed up by our centre backs, given how often we play it out from the back, but a game that saw this approach discarded put even more emphasis on Christian.
Thankfully, the captain led by example. Again.
4th (two points) – Ben Mee
As the only ‘regular’ starter from our usual defensive trio, was there additional pressure on Ben? If so, it didn’t show.
Let’s be honest – ‘that’ clearance off the line from Oscar Bobb is one that we’re going to be seeing a hundred times when the end of season showreels start coming out. It was the sort of game changing moment that, had the ball crossed the line, may well have seen the floodgates open.
They didn’t. As much also down to his border presence in defence. The shouts of ‘Meeeeeee’ telling you all that was needed about the way he was playing.
5th (one point) – Mads Roerslev
A tough one for the final slot. If we’re being truthful, it could have gone to just about anybody.
However, I’m giving it to Mads. He’s come under a bit of scrutiny in recent weeks from certain quarters in social media. Seeing this one, I’m not sure why.
For me, he stood out over others. Perhaps it was just seeing him being a nuisance against Haaland that makes him worthy of inclusion.
Regardless, we’ll give him the point for a top performance off the back of that Liverpool game where questions were asked about the broader Brentford defence.
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 25)
All of which means two huge changes in our table. Mark Flekken’s 19 points out a possible 20 from the last four games catapults him in to the top five whilst the injured Ethan Pinnock ceded top spot to Christian Norgaard.
With him and Bryan out for the forseeable, this competition has suddenly been thrown wide open. Bring on West Ham.
1st – Christian Norgaard (38 points)
2nd – Ethan Pinnock (37 points)
3rd – Bryan Mbeumo (35 points)
4th – Mathias Jensen (27 points)
5th – Mark Flekken (26 points)
Follow @NickBruzon on Twitter
