Leipzig – Manchester City | Doku’s goal
Doku scored City’s third goal against Leipzig
Earlier this week, Pep Guardiola praised Jeremy Doku’s improved numbers this season. The Belgian winger had scored three goals and provided two assists in his previous three matches, emerging as the clear hero in Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Everton. That result at least kept City’s Premier League title hopes alive.
Guardiola values Doku for his one-on-one ability, speed, acceleration, and capacity to create danger in tight spaces. However, the Catalan manager wanted that unpredictability to translate more consistently into goals and defensive work. Now, Doku is delivering with impressive efficiency.
“It’s thanks to the coach!” Guardiola said ironically about the winger’s recent form.
For City and Guardiola, only the FA Cup remains (they face Chelsea in the final), along with not dropping points in the Premier League to put pressure on Arsenal. If the Gunners don’t slip up, they will be champions. But thanks to a stellar Doku, there is still reason to believe in an Arsenal collapse. His performance against Brentford was sensational, breaking the deadlock with a stunning goal at a crucial moment and tormenting Kayode, who couldn’t keep up. Haaland and Marmoush sealed the 3-0 win.
City started the match at the Etihad like a pile driver. Cherki led some attacks as usual, exposing several opponents with his talent, while Doku on the other flank repeatedly took on Kayode. Early on, Kelleher proved a tough nut to save, denying multiple City attempts as the teams went into halftime with a 0-0 scoreline and City having fired 15 shots.
Doku, a constant headache for Brentford’s defense
That said, City also could have conceded. Brentford created danger through long balls, relying on Igor Thiago’s physical dominance. He forced the best from Donnarumma between the posts and pushed Nunes to the limits of the rules to disrupt Schade, who was left one-on-one after a perfect ball from the Brazilian.
In the second half, City’s siege continued and paid off just after the hour mark with a beautiful curling shot into the top corner from a whirlwind named Doku. With that goal, the Belgian now has 8 goals and 14 assists this season. City needed to avoid scares and kill the game. Foden had several chances, but Kelleher was determined to keep the score at 1-0.
Doku celebrates his goal against Brentford at the Etihad
Haaland had to appear in the 75th minute to make it 2-0 with an ugly, killer goal: the Norwegian made good on a cross from Semenyo that died in the box and tapped it into the net with a pragmatic but far from aesthetic heel flick.
**A More Intelligent Winger**
After the goal, the game changed. City, without abandoning the search for a third to potentially tie Arsenal on points and have a better goal difference, opted for a calmer approach. Doku, who had revolutionized every attack, extended his possessions a little more – another sign of his growing maturity.
The final 3-0 came from Marmoush, after a great pass from Haaland. City will now watch closely what happens this Sunday at the London Stadium, where West Ham face Arsenal at 5:30 PM.
