Pep Guardiola says Brentford did something nobody else has ever done to Man City - and he liked it

Pep Guardiola said no side has caused Manchester City as many problems in nine years as Brentford did in the first half on Saturday, describing the 2-1 win against Thomas Frank's side as 'lucky'.

Guardiola fell behind to a 23rd-second opener from Yoane Wissa and Brentford could easily have been two or three goals up within 15 minutes as they carved the champions open at will.

But as soon as Erling Haaland pounced on a deflected ball in the box and then took advantage of an Ethan Pinnock mistake, City never looked back and saw out an important win. Guardiola said the tests Brentford posed his side were evidence of what he has been trying to get across to his squad for some time.

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"I dont remember in eight or nine years a team that plays the way like Brentford did in the first 20 minutes," Guardiola insisted. "I give credit to them. We were not at our best. It's not easy to handle it. They deserve to be 0-2 or 0-3 up.

"Every time they have the ball they create a chance. I don't remember a team creating this kind of situation [against City]. Long balls, duels, short passes, they break the lines. Quick in the transitions, strong in the recovery and set pieces. An extraordinary team."

Guardiola also reserved praise for Frank, insisting it won't be long before a top team comes in for the Brentford boss, but he also said he was pleased that his players had to fight for the full 90 minutes to earn the win. It was evidence of warnings he has been giving on the training pitch which he felt might not have been getting through.

"It's so productive for us to win these kind of