CITY SLICKERS
Man City 2 Brentford 0: Mahrez scores for SEVENTH City game in a row as Guardiola’s boys go twelves points clear at top
RIYAD MAHREZ was the toast of the Etihad as he scored for a seventh straight Manchester City game.
The Algerian ace was one of the trio of Pep Guardiola’s players filmed enjoying a night out in town on Sunday evening.
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But on Wednesday night, it was home fans who were raising a glass to the £60million former Leicester man when he converted a penalty late in the first half.
Mahrez has given the champions plenty to celebrate in recent weeks – he has scored in each of his club appearances since December 7.
And to ensure this party went into full swing, Brentford keeper David Raya produced a gift – handing the hosts a second goal that was gratefully received by Kevin De Bruyne late on.
This is the last place you want to come when you are in the kind of form the Bees are in.
Thomas Frank’s men have now lost their last five Prem games and seven of the last eight – so few would have expected them to be party-poopers.
But their more optimistic fans might have suggested it was a good time to come to City – as their 12 match winning streak in the league came to an end last time out.
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That draw at Southampton two-and-a-half weeks ago had given Liverpool and Chelsea a glimmer of hope in the title race.
Guardiola insisted his only issue with the players' night out on Sunday was that he himself wasn’t invited.
Yet two of those involved, Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker, found themselves on the bench – while Mahrez kept his place.
Having dropped a couple of points at St Mary’s, City started out looking to stamp their authority on the title race once again.
De Bruyne whipped in a trademark curling cross from the right which was flashed wide off the head of Phil Foden.
Mahrez's low cross shot just evaded the oncoming Sterling. David Raya pushed it into the path of Joao Cancelo but he blasted his effort over the bar.
Then a cross from Foden was floated to the back post and Sterling acrobatically volleyed over.
Next to try his luck was defender Aymeric Laporte sending a half volley wide from a nod down by defensive partner Ruben Dias.
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It was starting to look like it could be a frustrating night for the champions.
But then Sterling burst past Mads Roerslev down the left and was clipped by the Danish full-back.
Ref Darren England pointed to the spot and the England ace had won his 23rd penalty in the league – more than any other player in Prem history.
Mahrez finished the job off – sending his kick high to the keeper’s right, meaning he has now scored his last eight club pens since famously blazing one over at Anfield in October 2018.
And he became the first City player to score in seven straight games since a guy called Sergio Aguero managed It back in autumn 2019.
The master poacher also managed eight in 2013/14 – Mahrez might fancy matching that at Norwich on Saturday.
Yet the Algerian’s 16th goal of the season was nearly cancelled out immediately as the Bees pounced on a slip by John Stones.
Saman Ghoddos played in Rico Henry, whose shot was saved by Ederson before the Brazilian was injured as he pounced on the rebound.
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Guardiola would have been pleased that his team had got their noses in front and they started the second half on the front foot.
Cancelo tried a 25 yard shot which just cleared the angle then produced an outrageous piece of skill to go past his man but was denied by Raya.
A rare Bees attack saw Frank Onyeka try a fancy flick towards goal but It never had the legs to beat Ederson.
The champions needed another goal to calm their nerves and Guardiola decided he had seen enough – swapping Grealish for Mahrez midway through the second half.
And not long afterwards the second did arrive as Raya inexplicably passed a ball out straight to Sterling on the edge of the box.
The former Blackburn keeper partially redeemed himself by saving the England man’s shot but De Bruyne was on hand to sweep home the rebound.
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Raya partially redeemed himself when he went full stretch to push away a thumping drive by Rodri which took a slight deflection on its way through.
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Despite being 12 points clear, Pep will ensure the bubbly stays on ice for a while yet as Liverpool still have two games in hand - and still have to come to the Etihad.
Meanwhile the Bees are just six points above the drop zone, they have a bit to do to ensure they are not drowning their sorrows at the end of May.
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