Doku Scores Again as Man City Beats Brentford 3-0 in Title Push

Jeremy Doku scored the opener in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Brentford on Saturday, keeping the club in the Premier League title race.

The Belgium international cut inside and curled in a fine finish against the stubborn Bees, just as he did for a last-gasp equalizer at Everton on Monday. The 23-year-old has netted four key goals in his past three games: the strike at Brentford, a double at Hill Dickinson Stadium and his effort against Southampton that helped City reach the FA Cup final.

He now has seven goal involvements in his last six games, with five goals and two assists, matching his tally from the previous 24. Doku has scored in three straight appearances across all competitions for the first time in his Manchester City career.

"If you want to become a better player, you have to win games for yourselves," Pep Guardiola said. "It is not enough to make good crosses for the other ones, you have to win games and score goals. At Everton, the goal for 3-3 was the right foot, but the first goal was the left. He made an incredible step in that sense to say 'I'm Jeremy Doku, I'm going to win games'. The big players always have that mentality."

Doku told BBC Match of the Day: "I'm an instinct player. Today it's working out. I scored some goals, I've always played with instinct but now the goals are coming. I haven't been a different player."

The winger tormented Brentford full-back Michael Kayode all game and could have scored in the opening two minutes but was stopped by Caoimhin Kelleher. His display drew widespread praise. MOTD pundit Ashley Williams called it "the best we have seen of Jeremy Doku".

"From a defender's point of view, I am not sure I would know how to stop him," the former Wales international added. "He is physically strong, can go right or left, his acceleration is something else but also his deceleration can leave you flat-footed. He was up against Kayode, who I really rate, and he just couldn't handle him. He has been the best player in the Premier League these last few weeks."

Former City striker Daniel Sturridge said on Sky Sports: "He has been exceptional. The goal he scored in this game was a thing of beauty. It is a brilliant finish. That is the go-to finish for him now. The repetitions in training are paying off. His game is progressing, he is becoming more decisive in those moments. Confidence is key for attackers, it is the most important thing. If you doubt yourself at any time you won't make the difference. Now he is thinking 'I can do this, I can score'."

Doku became just the third Premier League player this season to create six or more chances and complete six or more dribbles, after Bukayo Saka and Elliot Anderson.

"He is a top player," Brentford boss Keith Andrews said. "If it's not Doku, then someone else will step up and that is the luxury Pep has - phenomenally talented players, game changers who can decide games and that is ultimately what happened with the first goal."

Doku dedicated the goal to his father, who turned 60 on Saturday. "It's his birthday," he said. "I am becoming a dad soon and he sacrificed his life for me every time, bringing me to the club not knowing I would be what I am now. For me that's a big thing so him turning 60, I am grateful and that is why I wanted to give this goal to him. Having him around is a blessing."