Man City beat Brentford to close the gap on Arsenal to two points in the title race Football News

Manchester City scored three in the second half of their Premier League game against Brentford to keep their title hopes alive.

Manchester City kept their Premier League hopes alive as Jeremy Doku inspired a 3-0 win against Brentford.

Pep Guardiola’s side struggled to give Brentford an opener on the hour mark at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

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But Doku’s late strike deflected off Erling Haaland before he got his 26th league goal of the season.

Omar Marmoush completed City’s vital victory in stoppage time.

City closed two points behind leaders Arsenal, forcing Mikel Arteta’s side to win at third-placed West Ham on Sunday.

After their 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday put the fate of the title in Arsenal’s hands, City did everything they could to prolong the game.

City have a game at Arsenal this weekend, but the Gunners are guaranteed to win the title for the first time in 22 years if they win their remaining games against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

Guardiola’s men host Palace on Wednesday before facing Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 16.

Foreshadowing the match-winner, City striker Doku forced an early save from Caoimhin Kelleher.

But Gianluigi Donnarumma came close to giving Brentford a goal when Michael Kayode’s long-range shot was cleared off the line after the City keeper made a quick effort to get hold of the ball.

Donnarumma’s failure was consistent with City’s efforts to dominate.

Haaland looked forward and high as Doku’s cross picked out the striker six yards from goal.

After Haaland met Doku’s cut-back and blasted from close range, Kelleher denied Nathan Ake before he could turn his save into a groan from frustrated City fans.

Bernardo Silva got away with a booking after the City midfielder had shouted at Nathan Collins.

City had another scare early in the second half, and Donnarumma had to save Igor Thiago’s low drive.

Guardiola sent on Marmoush and Phil Foden to spark City into life, and the move paid off immediately.

Doku scored twice with eye-catching curlers against Everton, and repeated the trick to break Brentford’s resistance in the 60th minute.

After grabbing the lead after being blocked early on, Doku whipped a superb strike into the top corner from the left side of the penalty area.

Doku’s fourth goal in his last three games was almost followed by Foden, but Kelleher was equal to his close-range shot.

City were still vulnerable at the back, and Kevin Schade appealed in vain for a penalty after connecting with Matheus Nunes.

Haaland settled City’s nerves in the 75th minute, heading back from close range when his first-time effort was blocked from Antoine Semenyo’s cross.

Marmoush boosted City’s goal difference, which is now just under Arsenal’s, with a late finish in the dying seconds.