Manchester Metropolis have been held to a 2-2 draw by Brentford having led by two objectives in an end-to-end sport in west London on Tuesday evening.
A goal-fest was anticipated on the Brentford Group Stadium and so it proved, however it was a primary half of nip and tuck as neither staff absolutely hit their stride.
Metropolis hit the entrance when Phil Foden scored two very various kinds of objectives within the second half, however Yoanne Wissa pulled one again then Christian Norgaard equalised in damage time to grab a deserved share of the factors for the Bees.
Brentford utilized the early stress as Wissa solely narrowly missed connecting with strike associate Bryan Mbeumo’s cross, then the latter pressured Stefan Ortega into his first save with a scuffed effort and the previous put one other shot simply vast after a counter-attack.
The Bees are but to maintain a house clear sheet this season although, and Metropolis severely threatened that report for the primary time when Kevin de Bruyne’s cross discovered Erling Haaland’s head, however was barely too excessive to be transformed, earlier than probabilities for Matheus Nunes, Savinho and Mateo Kovacic additionally went begging.
The champions’ menace remained within the second half, they usually got here as shut as you may get to scoring with out doing in order a superb run from Savinho ended within the Brazilian blasting in opposition to the submit.
Metropolis had coped effectively with the counter-attack menace to that time however on the hour they confronted their first actual style of it – Josko Gvardiol gave the ball away and Brentford charged up the pitch, however the Croatian defender made a heroic restoration run and slid in to disclaim Wissa the opener.
It proved to be decisive, as a result of Metropolis scored moments later; Savinho discovered de Bruyne on the precise wing, whose supply was pretty much as good because it had been all evening to search out Foden, and the PFA Participant of the Yr provided a flash of the medical brilliance we noticed all of final season to deftly contact the cross dwelling.
Brentford have been by no means going to lie down and ramped up the stress even additional, forcing one other unbelievable defensive intervention, this time from Nathan Ake.
However just like the final league away journey to Leicester, Metropolis soaked up the stress and sucker-punched with a second purpose; Savinho was uncontrollable within the second interval and he broke free to shoot into Flekken’s chest, with Foden there to tidy up and convert cleanly.
The sport wasn’t over but although – a flighted ball to the again submit discovered Mads Roerslev, and his go again throughout landed to Wissa, who couldn’t missed and halved Metropolis’s lead.
And Brentford accomplished their comeback when Norgaard popped up within the field and struck previous Ortega, and will even have stolen the win had Ake not produced one other late goal-line clearance.
It can damage for the Blues however it was on no account a foul show, and Brentford have been good worth for his or her level – right here’s how we rated the gamers in Manchester Metropolis’s draw on the Brentford Group Stadium!
Participant Scores
Beginning XI
Stefan Ortega – 6.5
Would have anticipated to be busy at a stadium famed for its objectives, and practically produced a miraculous save on Norgaard’s equaliser. Impressed along with his enjoying out from the again.
Manuel Akanji – 6
The primary time shortly we’ve seen him trying to step ahead into midfield with the ball. Struggled a bit extra in one-on-one duels.
Nathan Ake – 8
Has appeared to ease his method again into health in current weeks however Brentford gave him no hope of taking issues simple right here. Ake responded defiantly, placing every thing on the road and solely barely stumbling on Brentford’s purpose.
Josko Gvardiol – 7
Received ahead lots however couldn’t actually present the touches of attacking distinction we all know he can. Was extra spectacular on the again, notably with a cracking block on Wissa.
Matheus Nunes – 7
His second outing at right-back and he appears to be like snug sufficient there already. Wants a bit extra aggression in his defending however is an effective candidate to invert from vast.
Mateo Kovacic – 6.5
Picked the brief straw because the lone holding midfielder on an evening of chaos within the center. Coped admirably in possession, however work nonetheless wants achieved for him to emulate Rodri in defending the Metropolis backline.
Bernardo Silva – 6
Put his coronary heart and soul into it as all the time, slotting into completely different positions to help the staff. He isn’t a pure defender although and missed his header within the build-up to Brentford’s purpose.
Kevin de Bruyne – 8.5 (MOTM)
Made a compelling case to anybody doubting his continued brilliance. Ran the present for Metropolis and at last noticed one in all his creations completed by Foden.
Phil Foden – 8.5
Performed extra of a facilitating function for a lot of the match, however confirmed his true expertise with a marvellous one-touch end and his nostril for purpose to snaffle a second on the rebound.
Erling Haaland – 6.5
A sport of contrasting headed fortunes for the large man; did his greatest hold-up play with some clever flicks, however missed the very best of his handful of probabilities along with his bonce.
Savinho – 8
Appears such a menace proper now. Got here into his personal within the second half, turning Brentford inside out and enjoying a component in each objectives.
Substitutes
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
Couldn’t actually get a grip within the midfield.
James McAtee – 6
Popped up within the field however couldn’t convert.
