Manchester City Beat Brentford to Stay in Title Race
Jeremy Doku recently stated that he needed to add more goals to his game to be considered among the best wingers globally. After another impressive performance in Manchester City's 3-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday, the Belgium international's recent form is playing a crucial role in keeping City in the Premier League title race this season.
Doku opened the scoring against Brentford with a skillful goal, cutting inside and curling a precise finish, similar to the strike that secured a last-minute draw at Everton earlier in the week. The 23-year-old has now scored four key goals in his last three matches: the goal against Brentford, a brace at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and a goal against Southampton that helped City reach the FA Cup final.
In total, Doku has been involved in seven goals over his past six games, contributing five goals and two assists, matching his output from the previous 24 matches combined.
"If you want to become a better player, you have to win games for yourselves," said manager Pep Guardiola. "It is not enough to make good crosses for the other ones, you have to win games and score goals. At Everton, the goal for 3-3 was the right [foot], but the first goal was the left. He made an incredible step in that sense to say 'I'm Jeremy Doku, I'm going to win games'. The big players always have that mentality."
Doku told BBC Match of the Day (MOTD): "I'm an instinct player. Today it's working out. I scored some goals, I've always played with instinct but now the goals are coming. I haven't been a different player."
With this win, Manchester City moved to within two points of league leaders Arsenal, keeping their title hopes alive.
'Best We've Seen of Doku'
Manchester City's title challenge may increasingly depend on Doku's ability to produce moments of brilliance as the season approaches its conclusion. He has scored in three consecutive appearances across all competitions for the first time in his City career.
During Saturday's match, Doku troubled Brentford full-back Michael Kayode throughout the game, frequently twisting past him. He nearly scored in the opening two minutes but was denied by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
His performance received widespread acclaim. MOTD pundit Ashley Williams described it as "the best we have seen of Jeremy Doku." The former Wales international added:
"From a defender's point of view, I am not sure I would know how to stop him. He is physically strong, can go right or left, his acceleration is something else but also his deceleration can leave you flat-footed. He was up against Kayode, who I really rate, and he just couldn't handle him. He has been the best player in the Premier League these last few weeks."
Former Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge, speaking on Sky Sports, praised Doku's progress:
"He has been exceptional. The goal he scored in this game was a thing of beauty. It is a brilliant finish. That is the go-to finish for him now. The repetitions in training are paying off. His game is progressing, he is becoming more decisive in those moments. Confidence is key for attackers, it is the most important thing. If you doubt yourself at any time you won't make the difference. Now he is thinking 'I can do this, I can score'."
Doku's performance made him just the third player in the Premier League this season to both create six or more chances and complete six or more dribbles in a single match, joining Bukayo Saka and Elliot Anderson.
Brentford manager Keith Andrews acknowledged Doku's impact:
"He is a top player. If it's not Doku, then someone else will step up and that is the luxury Pep has - phenomenally talented players, game changers who can decide games and that is ultimately what happened with the first goal."
Doku dedicated his latest goal to his father, who celebrated his 60th birthday on the same day:
"It's his birthday. I am becoming a dad soon and he sacrificed his life for me every time, bringing me to the club not knowing I would be what I am now. For me that's a big thing so him turning 60, I am grateful and that is why I wanted to give this goal to him. Having him around is a blessing."
Guardiola on Scoring Goals and Haaland
Guardiola emphasized the importance of scoring goals to support star striker Erling Haaland:
"Scoring goals isn't to be a genius, it's to bring players close to Haaland."
Title Race Hinges on Arsenal vs West Ham
The Premier League title race is expected to hinge on Arsenal's upcoming match against relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday. A win for Arsenal would likely secure the trophy with two games remaining, against Burnley and Crystal Palace.
However, if Arsenal draws or loses, Manchester City would have an opportunity to close the gap with fixtures against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa still to come.
When asked if he would watch the Arsenal-West Ham match, Guardiola told BBC Radio 5 Live that his sister was visiting, so he might not watch live, but if at home, he would watch as he enjoys football.
Meanwhile, Haaland extended his goal tally to 50 for club and country. He stated that the players "can't think of the title race" but admitted he would have "notifications on his phone" about the Arsenal-West Ham game.
Guardiola concluded Saturday's post-match press conference by expressing support for West Ham:
"Come on you Irons."
He also made the Hammers' symbol with his arms above his head, acknowledging that his side needs a favor from Nuno Espirito Santo's team to keep their title hopes alive.
