Brentford 1-0 Manchester City: Hosts grab late winner to do double over Premier League champions
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Updated 28/05/2023 at 21:33 GMT
It was never going to be a match that mattered much, what with Manchester City having already sealed yet another stunning Premier League title triumph and Brentford sitting comfortably in mid-table without a care in the world. As such, it was a largely undramatic encounter as the two sides played out the clash with Brentford grabbing a late goal in the end to take the spoils.
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Brentford became the only Premier League club to do the double over champions Manchester City this season, with Ethan Pinnock's late goal the difference in west London.
Pep Guardiola made seven changes to his City side and it showed, with the visitors far from their fluid best as they struggled to create any chances. The best opportunity fell to Cole Palmer early on, but David Raya palmed away his low shot.
Yoane Wissa hit the post for Brentford, although he was marginally offside when played through on goal so it would not have counted, while Ben Mee also had a snap-shot saved before the interval.
The Bees thought they should have had a penalty amid their best spell of pressure, with Mee first kicked by Sergio Gomez as they vied for a loose ball and then Rico Lewis clearly handling a miscued shot, but one was not awarded. Manager Thomas Frank was booked for his protests.
Yet the Bees still had a sting in their tail and scored a deserved winner five minutes from time as Pinnock smashed home from a Bryan Mbuemo knockdown.
It was announced earlier in the day that Pinnock had signed a new four-year contract with Brentford, so he was a fitting scorer.
City did create one goalmouth scramble as they pushed for an equaliser, but Palmer saw two close-range shots blocked as Brentford held firm.
The win means Brentford end the season with 59 points in ninth place, with City on 89 at the top of the table. Other results did not go Brentford's way, meaning it was not possible to qualify for the Europa Conference League.
TALKING POINT - Brentford end super season in style
Europe was not to be for Brentford, but it has still been a brilliant season for the Bees and this win ties a bow on it nicely. It is their highest league finish since the 1937-38 season.
Brentford's progress has gone under the radar this campaign, perhaps down to a combination of their good showing last season and a top-four shake-up which has attracted much attention, but Frank is continuing to do an excellent job on one of the division's smallest budgets. All the while still using many of the players who helped Brentford reach the Premier League, including Pinnock.
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Phil Foden of Manchester City is challenged by Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford
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That they are the only team to do the double over City this season is testament to Brentford's quality and adaptability.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Ben Mee (Brentford)
Against his old club, Mee made his presence felt at both ends. Julian Alvarez had a torrid after in large part because of Mee, although all members of Brentford's backline played well.
PLAYER RATINGS
Brentford: Raya 6, Hickey 7, Pinnock 8, Mee 8, Jorgensen 7, Henry 8, Janelt 6, Onyeka 7, Damsgaard 6, Mbeumo 7, Wissa 6. Subs: Schade 7, Dasilva 7, Baptiste 6, Ghoddos 6, Roerslev 6.
Manchester City: Ederson 6, Walker 6, Ake 7, Laporte 6, Gomez 4, Phillips 4, Foden 6, Lewis 6, Palmer 5, Mahrez 5, Alvarez 5. Subs: Charles 6.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
RAYA SAVES 4' - Palmer gets a slice of luck as the ball ricochets his way, allowing the youngster to dribble into the box, and he digs out a low shot which Raya parries wide.
WISSA HITS POST 10' - Wissa runs off Ake's shoulder, receives a through ball to go one-on-one with Ederson and curls a shot onto the post from a tight angle. An offside flag belatedly went up, so it would not have counted had Wissa found the net.
MEE SHOT KEPT OUT 36' - A long throw-in comes to Mee, who stops it dead, spins and shoots, but Ederson saves.
BRENTFORD LEAD 85' - Schade gets around the outside on the right, crosses to Mbuemo at the back post and his knockdown is right in the path of Pinnock, who hammers home. Brentford on to do the double over City!
CHANCE FOR CITY 90' - Palmer has two close-range efforts blocked - one by Pinnock, one by a team-mate - as City come agonisingly close to drawing level.
KET STAT
Brentford have done the double over City for the first time since the1937-38 season.
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