Manchester City thumped Brentford 3-1 at the Etihad, closing to within two points of league‑top Arsenal. Jeremy Doku broke the deadlock in the 60th minute with a curling finish, his fourth in three games across all competitions. Erling Haaland doubled the lead moments later, flicking home his 26th Premier League goal. Substitute Omar Marmoush added a late stopper in stoppage time.

City commanded the game, registering 25 shots to Brentford’s four and keeping the visitors on the back foot. VAR intervened twice, first clearing Matheus Nunes after a last‑man challenge on Kevin Schade and later dismissing a second penalty appeal. Bernardo Silva received a booking for a clash with Nathan Collins, while Phil Foden’s chances were denied by Caoimhin Kelleher.

Doku’s strike marked his seventh involvement in six matches, matching his output from the previous 24 games. Haaland’s finish pushed his season tally to 26, reinforcing his status as the league’s top scorer. Meanwhile, Foden, introduced as a substitute, twice saw the ball rebound off Kelleher, underscoring City’s relentless pressure.

The win lifted City’s goal difference to +45, just one behind Arsenal, tightening the title race ahead of Arsenal’s Super Sunday meeting with West Ham. Brentford slipped to eighth, outside the European places with two fixtures remaining. City’s unbeaten run now stretches to 13 league games, the longest of the season.