Manchester City navigated their fifth outing of a demanding December program, with two further league fixtures still ahead before year’s end. A tough night against Brentford, played in difficult conditions, ended in success and preserved an unblemished month so far. The result stretched their sequence to six victories in every competition and added to a growing sense of momentum around Pep Guardiola’s side.
Although this cup sits behind league and European ambitions, progress still matters. City trail Arsenal by two points domestically and remain inside the leading eight of the Champions League group standings. After a campaign without major honors for the first time in eight years, this tournament offers an early route back towards silverware if the next hurdle is cleared.
Rayan Cherki continued his adaptation to life at the club, displaying close control and scoring a powerful strike that took his tally for the season to four. With Erling Haaland rested, teenage forward Divine Mukasa led the line and came close to a debut goal after a slaloming run, only to see his effort blocked by the Brentford goalkeeper.
Injury worries and squad depth tested
Concerns linger over availability as the season intensifies. City already have Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Jeremy Doku, John Stones, and Rodri remain sidelined through injury.
Attention now turns to Oscar Bobb after he limped off before halftime. His exit prompted the introduction of Phil Foden, who has been in strong form and nearly extended his recent scoring run, but his quick attempt was pushed away by Valdimarsson.
Brentford frustration without video review
From the visitors’ perspective, the absence of video assistance proved costly. Manager Keith Andrews felt a dismissal should have followed a challenge by Khusanov, yet only a caution was shown, and protests to the officials changed nothing.
The ensuing free kick from Mathias Jensen forced a save from James Trafford, but Brentford could not find a breakthrough against the stand-in goalkeeper. Defeat marked a fifth loss in the past six meetings with City and confirmed a second successive quarter-final exit, following last season’s elimination by eventual champions Newcastle.
