Man City blow late lead at Brentford, Chelsea held by Bournemouth

Phil Foden's double had City on course for a fourth consecutive win after a run of just one victory in 13 games. However, the English champions' defending was not convincing all night and they were punished as Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard struck in the final 10 minutes to earn Brentford a point. Foden's return to the form that saw him crowned Premier League player of the year last season was the one positive for City.

But Pep Guardiola will reflect on a missed opportunity to make up ground on the top four. A point leaves City still down in sixth. Erling Haaland and Savinho struck the woodwork for City either side of half-time. However, Brentford were a constant threat on the counter-attack and only a brilliant last ditch tackle from Josko Gvardiol denied Wissa the opener for the home side.

Moments later, Foden produced a brilliant deft touch from Kevin De Bruyne's inviting delivery to score for just the third time in the Premier League this season. Brentford then saw a host of chances to level come and go before City punished them with a sucker punch. Savinho's powerful effort was parried by Mark Flekken into the path of Foden, who smashed in his fourth goal in five league games.

Brentford did finally get some reward for their attacking endeavour when Wissa slotted in from Mads Roerslev's cross to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League. And they completed the comeback in stoppage time when Norgaard's header had too much power for Stefan Ortega.

Reece rescues Chelsea

Chelsea's miserable run extended to five league games without a win but they were grateful for captain Reece James' stoppage-time equaliser salvaging a point for them against the Cherries. Cole Palmer's cool finish from Nicolas Jackson's through ball had given Chelsea the perfect start. But Bournemouth hit back despite losing both their strikers Evanilson and Enes Unal to long-term injuries.

Justin Kluivert levelled from the penalty spot, before Antoine Semenyo's blistering near-post effort put the visitors in front. James has endured another injury-hit season but showed the quality he possesses by curling home a free-kick at the death. West Ham boss Graham Potter enjoyed a winning home debut as Fulham were beaten 3-2 at the London Stadium.

The Hammers shrugged off an injury crisis in attacking areas to score twice in two first-half minutes. Carlos Soler pounced on a wayward pass by Andreas Pereira to sweep in the opener before Tomas Soucek fired in from Aaron Wan Bissaka's cross. Alex Iwobi's intended cross evaded everyone on its way in at the start of the second half to give Fulham hope.

Lucas Paqueta restored West Ham's two-goal cushion to take Potter's men above Manchester United and Tottenham into 12th. Iwobi pulled another goal back for Fulham, but defeat leaves them still in ninth.

 

January 14, 2025