Toney snubbed by Southgate but scores a brace to defeat City at Etihad

Pep Guardiola said before today's match with out of form Brentford that he doesn't plan to rest any players destined to the World Cup. And Manchester City boss was true to his word, but it seems that his players after all did have Qatar in mind during 100 minutes at Etihad. De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva, Foden, Ederson, Rodri, Cancelo, Laporte are all going to the World Cup and they all played today….but played badly and lost to out of form Brenford at Etihad, and are now in risk to be 5 points behind Arsenal, if the Gunners defeat Wolves.

On the other hand, Brentford stirker Ivan Toney was snubbed for the World Cup and it looked today he really wanted to show to manager Gareth Southgate he was wrong not to include him into his 26 man list. So, he scored two goals against Guardiola's squad and brought all three points to his squad for the first time after a month, when they defeated Brighton.

If Brentford played this good in some recent games, they would certainly had at least one more win in their column (only one in the last seven Premier League games). The Bees started bravely, and in the 4th minute, Ederson saved a certain goal after Onyeka bursted into the penalty spot. Just two minutes later, even bigger chance. Henry started the action again, and his cross was met by Ederson, but he could only push the ball, and it soon arrived at Toney's feet, but the Brazilian saved it again. But when he got the second chance, Toney used it. Mee reacted great after a free kick and his header on was met by Toney, who guided the ball over Ederson with his head for the opener in the 16th minute.

City started to apply the pressure and in two minutes, the referee had to check with VAR three times. City wanted a penalty as Silva's ball hit the arm of Henry, but VAR concluded that he was outside the penalty area. Two minutes later, VAR again had to chech if the fauls on De Bruyne and Haaland in the penalty arias were worth the spot, and they werent. But Phil Foden's thunderbolt in the 45th minute after a corner kick levelled the game.

Second half was not so exciting as the first one, at least not it terms of intencity and VAR decisions. Both teams had their chances and the match was extended to 10 minutes, due to injury to Cancelo as well as technological problems in referee's equipment. And in the fifth minute of injury time, Toney stoke again. He missed the winner minutes before, but now was precise as he followed the counter attack started by Wissa. 2-1, end of the match. Brentford have never lost a Premier League game when scoring first, winning 13 and drawing three of the 16 occasions when they've opened the scoring.

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 16

Saturday

Man.City - Brentford 1-2 (1-1)

/Foden 45 - Toney 16, 95/

18:00: (3.00) Bournemouth (3.10) Everton (2.70)

18:00: (1.28) Liverpool (6.50) Southampton (11.0)

18:00: (3.20) Nott.Forest (3.10) Crystal Palace (2.55)

18:00: (1.68) Tottenham (3.80) Leeds (5.20)

18:00: (2.20) West Ham (3.40) Leicester (3.60)

20:30: (2.50) Newcastle (3.30) Chelsea (2.85)

22:45: (5.80) Wolverhampton (3.90) Arsenal (1.60)

Sunday

17:00: (1.95) Brighton (3.50) Aston Villa (4.40)

19:30: (4.10) Fulham (3.50) Man.Utd. (1.92)

***odds are subject to change***

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