Thanks to a masterfully executed hat-trick from Phil Foden, Manchester City defeated Brentford 3-1.
Brentford took the lead thanks to a goal from Neal Maupay after 21 minutes, but Foden equalized just before halftime and added two more fantastic goals as the visitors took charge with yet another elegant possession and probing game. This was against nearly continuous pressure from City.
Liverpool leads the table with 51 points from 23 games, followed by Manchester City with 49 from 22 and Arsenal with 49 from 23. Liverpool lost at Arsenal on Sunday.

After winning 2-1 at the Etihad in November, Brentford completed the double over City last season, defeating them 1-0 in London in the championship match in May when the title was already assured.

After Monday's one-sided opening exchanges, in which Brentford keeper Mark Flekken denied curling chances from Julian Alvarez twice and Kyle Walker, another victory seemed unlikely.

On Sunday, though, Brentford took the lead thanks to a goal kick from Flekken that Nathan Ake was unable to stop despite Ivan Toney's pressure. Twenty-one minutes later, Maupay found an open path to the goal and curled it delicately into the bottom corner.

While at Everton, Maupay was unable to buy a goal; however, while on loan at Brentford, he has now scored five goals in his past five appearances across all competitions.

Erling Haaland had an opportunity to equalize right away, but Flekken saved with his foot once more before stopping Josko Gvardial from scoring another.

Following a string of corner kicks, Brentford produced the amazing sight of nine of their players filling the six-yard box, with just one outfield player from each team taking up the remaining ninety meters of grass.

The comeback wasn't shocking because Brentford is the poorest team in the league at letting leads slip, having done so in three of City's previous away league games even after falling behind. This season, Brentford has lost just 26 points due to this phenomenon.