Jeremy Doku inspires Manchester City again in win over Brentford

Jeremy Doku struck again as Manchester City kept their title hopes alive with a vital 3-0 win over Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.

The winger scored his fifth goal in six games before Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush wrapped up a victory at the Etihad Stadium that cut Arsenal’s advantage at the top to two points.

Both contenders now have three games to play, with Arsenal the next in action at relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday.

After Monday’s frustrating draw at Everton, City needed to win to keep any pressure on the Gunners and – as at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where they were facing defeat until the final moments, Doku came to their rescue.

The Belgian struck in now trademark style to break the deadlock on the hour with a fine curling shot before Haaland and substitute Marmoush made the points certain.

Victory was not without controversy, however, as European hopefuls Brentford had two penalty appeals turned down and City captain Bernardo Silva might have been sent off on another day for lashing out.

But ultimately City, who were again missing the influential Rodri, did what they needed to do.

Doku repeatedly troubled Brentford cutting in from the left and he threatened in the opening minutes when he shot straight at Caoimhin Kelleher.

Silva and Tijjani Reijnders both shot over and Haaland headed tamely at Kelleher.

Haaland had another opportunity from a Doku cutback but his shot was blocked by Kristoffer Ajer and Kelleher smothered Nathan Ake’s follow-up.

Despite City’s dominance, they looked vulnerable at times and they had a scare when Gianluigi Donnarumma missed Michael Kayode’s long throw-in and Matheus Nunes cleared off the line.

Nunes was also involved in some of the game’s main talking points,