Manchester City move 12 points clear at top of Premier League after Brentford win

Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne were on target as Manchester City saw off Brentford to move 12 points clear at the Premier League summit.

Mahrez rewarded City for a dominant first half with a 40th-minute penalty before De Bruyne sealed a comfortable 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium after a Brentford error in the second half.

City's victory was their first in the competition for almost a month, although they played only one other fixture in that time, but it put the pressure back on second-placed Liverpool before their clash with Leicester at Anfield on Thursday.

Brentford's loss was their fifth in succession as their recent slump continues after a bright opening to the campaign.

Manager Thomas Frank would have been pleased with the discipline shown for large spells but ultimately, although City controlled the contest in almost all aspects, their own mistakes cost them.

The hosts needed to be patient as Brentford sat deep to frustrate them from the outset.

Phil Foden headed an early chance wide but it was not until towards the end of first half that the champions began to make the most of their considerable possession.

Mahrez created an opening just before the half-hour when he delivered a low cross into the box but goalkeeper David Raya just beat Raheem Sterling to the ball.

Joao Cancelo charged in to meet the rebound but blasted over.

Sterling then volleyed over on the turn from a Foden ball and Aymeric Laporte showed a good touch before sidefooting narrowly wide.

The breakthrough eventually came as Sterling burst into the area and was clumsily brought down by Mads Roerslev.

Mahrez, who converted from the spot in Saturday's FA Cup victory over Fulham, did so again.

Brentford had offered little until this point, aside from