Thanks to Foden’s hat-trick, Manchester City come back to defeat Brentford 3–1.

LONDON (AP) — Phil Foden’s hat-trick powered Manchester City from behind to beat Brentford 3-1 on Monday to move within two points of Premier League-topping Liverpool.

Foden quickly helped City recover after Neal Maupay opened the scoring in the 21st minute for Brentford. The English midfielder equalized in stoppage time of the first period and headed in a goal in the 53rd, before finishing the game in the 70th.

City, as usual, are in the midst of a winning streak heading into the second half of the season – they have won five in a row since December 27 – and have all their key players back after a series of injuries. Top scorer Erling Haaland made his first start after a two-month absence.

At the same time, City again become favorites to win the title again, as Pep Guardiola’s team has one game less than leader Liverpool and Arsenal, which is in third place and has an equal number of points with City, but with lower goal difference. Only two points separate the top three.

Haaland came on in the 86th minute and failed to add to his 14 goals of the season (tied with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for the most), but Foden contributed in the third, having had a scarf thrown at him while celebrating victory in front of the goal. visiting fans. Foden, who has been with the team since childhood, wrapped the scarf around his neck before returning it to the fans.

In the process, Foden scored 14 goals in all competitions and established himself as a regular in Guardiola’s star-studded team, which surprised Maupay.

His goal surprised the city, which once again lost to a team that had two wins last season.

Foden made sure this never happens again with his hat-trick.