Man City vs Brentford highlights and reaction as Mahrez and De Bruyne secure gritty win

Pep Guardiola guided Manchester City back to winning ways in the Premier League against Brentford this evening to temporarily extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points.

City ended their long winning run with a tight draw at Southampton last time out, with a winter break and FA Cup weekend meaning it is 18 days since their last league fixture. Brentford were the visitors, who posed a tough test like they did when City were 1-0 winners against the Bees back in December.

Guardiola was without Cole Palmer and Gabriel Jesus again, and named a strange side with his three centre-backs all in the starting line up. City struggled in a tight first half, but went in ahead at the break thanks to Riyad Mahrez's penalty. Kevin De Bruyne stroked home after a defensive mix-up to make the game safe in the second half, but this was as tough a test as City have faced in a while.

With Liverpool not in action until Thursday, City restored their lead at the top of the table to 12 points with victory, even if they will have played two more games over second place.

Follow below for pre-match build-up, live match updates and post-match reaction from the Etihad.

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Raheem Sterling has spoken to BT Sport about today's win.

He said:

He won the penalty with that direct turn of pace in the first half at a crucial time.

Ederson Earned himself a headache with a brave save after Stones' slip, but had a nice rest in the second half - 6

John Stones Unfortunate slip