MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City kept the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League after beating Brentford 3-0 on Saturday.
Cheers rang around Etihad Stadium after second-half goals from Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush helped second-placed City close the gap on leader Arsenal to two points.
Match Summary
A well-organized Brentford managed to frustrate City until Doku came up with a moment of magic on the hour — curling a right-footed shot into the far corner. It was a near-carbon copy of his late equalizer against Everton that salvaged a 3-3 draw on Monday.
That draw put the title race in Arsenal's hands, but victory against Brentford ensured the pressure remained on the Gunners to get a win at West Ham on Sunday.
Haaland bundled the ball over the line in the 75th for City's second and his 50th of the season for his club and national team Norway. Substitute Marmoush got the third in added time.
Guardiola's Reaction
Another big goal from Doku settled City nerves and kept manager Pep Guardiola in contention for a seventh Premier League title.
"I love it. I love to be here again," Guardiola said, adding he feels no tension in the heat of the title race.
"Come on you Irons!" Guardiola said at the end of his post-game news conference in reference to West Ham's nickname.
Other Premier League Results
Third-placed Manchester United drew at Sunderland 0-0. Without injured striker Benjamin Sesko and Brazil midfielder Casemiro, United failed to find a breakthrough at Sunderland. United managed just one shot on target in a dour match.
Chelsea broke its six-game losing streak after Enzo Fernandez's bouncing free kick went in before halftime to equalize following Ryan Gravenberch's early goal.
Bournemouth and Brighton were still pushing for Champions League qualification after both recorded wins. Sixth-placed Bournemouth won at Fulham 1-0 in a game in which both teams were reduced to 10 men.
Brighton was seventh and beat last-placed Wolverhampton 3-0. A goal after 35 seconds for Jamie Hinshelwood was the fastest Brighton has ever recorded in the Premier League, according to stats provider Opta.
Championship Playoffs
Middlesbrough and Southampton drew 0-0 in the first leg of their Championship playoff semifinal.
Buildup to the match was dominated by allegations Southampton spied on Boro's training. The English Football League charged Southampton with a breach of its rules after Boro complained there was "unauthorized filming on private property" ahead of the game.
After the first leg Boro coach Kim Hellberg let his feelings be known, saying "someone has made a decision to cheat."
He said he was angry and disappointed "because it's a big game and you try to get advantage in an ugly way... unfair way." The second leg is at Southampton on Tuesday.