Manchester City’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive Premier League title took a hit as they squandered a 2-0 lead to draw at Brentford.
City seemed on course for victory after Phil Foden’s double, including a brilliant volley from Kevin de Bruyne’s cross and a rebound finish, gave them control.
However, the resilient Bees fought back with Yoane Wissa’s close-range strike in the 78th minute and captain Christian Norgaard’s dramatic stoppage-time header.
Brentford almost snatched a win in the dying moments, but Nathan Ake cleared Bryan Mbeumo’s effort off the line, denying the home side a remarkable victory.
City’s recent slump, with only one win in nine league games during November and December, has cast doubt on their title defense as the season progresses.
Victories over Leicester and West Ham, as well as an 8-0 thrashing of League Two Salford City in the FA Cup had boosted City morale, but this will feel like two points dropped.
“We were close and we had chances, we didn’t take the right decisions,” said City boss Pep Guardiola. “At the end they put a lot in the box and he (Norgaard) was there.
“It was an open game with a lot of chances and we were close but unfortunately we could not close it out.
“We know this is a difficult team from set-pieces and many other positions and in the end we missed the last moment. If we had better decisions then maybe it is different.”
‘An exceptional person’ – Guardiola’s tribute to City legend Book
Before the match there was a minute’s applause for Manchester City legend Tony Book, who died on Tuesday aged 90.
As a player he won four major trophies with City, including the league title in 1967-68, the FA Cup a season later and both the League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1969-70. As a manager, he guided City to the League Cup in 1976.
“He was an exceptional person,” said Guardiola. “On behalf of us and all our family, he was an incredible person and I was lucky to meet him and we wanted to win to dedicate it to him.
“He had a long life, an incredible life and this is what this club is built on.”
