Player Ratings

Ederson Earned himself a headache with a brave save after Stones’ slip, but had a nice rest in the second half – 6

John Stones Unfortunate slip presented the Bees with their best chance, but he made up for it by chasing down Ghoddos on a counter – 6

Ruben Days Brilliant block after Ederson’s brave save went unheralded as the whistle had gone for a free kick – 8

Aymeric Laporte Almost scored, and was his usual unflappable self in the face of a pacy Bees counter-attacking effort – 7

Joao Cancelo Fabulous solo effort in the second half just needed a better finish, was excellent after the break – 8

Read the full ratings here.

Rate the City players

Joao Cancelo was given the TV man of the match – do you agree?

Have your say here:

Full-time!

There’s the whistle!

It wasn’t always easy, but City edged past Brentford to move 12 clear in the Premier League thanks to goals from Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne in either half.

No doubt Guardiola will want improved performances in future outings, but Brentford provided a tough opponent once against and the three points were the main objective tonight.

Reaction to follow.

Three minutes added on

City are in total control now, Brentford trying to keep the damage to two goals.

I cancel wants a goal

Cancelo is doing everything he can to get on the scoresheet but it shouldn’t go unnoticed that it is a very comfortable night for the defense too as they head towards another clean sheet.

Brentford have only been allowed one shot on target in this half and most of the time the ball is not leaving the Brentford third. The best way of defense has been attack.

Rodri effort saved

Another team counter comes out to Rodri, who lines one of his trademark rockets up. It takes a deflection to force Stripe into a smart save.

I cancel over again

City had a good few minutes of uninterrupted possession there, ending in a Joao Cancelo shot that’s deflected over. That would have been a fine team goal.

Gundogan comes on

Phil Foden’s switch to the left didn’t last long, as he comes off for Ilkay Gundogan.

For Brentford, Wissa is on for Onyeka.

De Bruyne scores!!

A mixup at the back from Brentford gifts possession to Raheem Sterling.

His shot is saved, but only into the path of Kevin De Bruyne, who curls in from the edge of the area.

Foden on the wing

Grealish has gone straight into a central role, with Phil Foden moving left, and Raheem Sterling over on the right now.

Mahrez replaced

The goalscorer is off, with Jack Grealish on.

De Bruyne covers well

Bryan Mbuemo gets clear and has the whole City half to run on goal. John Stones just about keeps up with him – and when the ball is held up it’s Kevin De Bruyne running back to nick the ball off the Brentford man and clear upfield.

Moments later, Joao Cancelo curls an effort straight at David Raya.

Grealish to come on

Jack Grealish is being readied as Pep Guardiola looks to sharpen up this City side.

Brentford pressure

Onyeka hooks a ball safely into Ederson’s arms after a spell of Brentford pressure.

Now they make a double change with Canos and Ghoddos off, Mbuemo and Da Silva on.

stone scare

John Stones goes down after a bad fall, and is given some treatment. He walks off gingerly, but can hopefully continue.

Brentford keeping it tight

Brentford obviously need to score now if they want to take anything from the game, but it is in their interests to keep the game tight for as long as they can rather than risk allowing City to kill the game off early with a second.

1-0 was the scoreline back in December and the final minutes were horrible for City to survive.

great effort

Joao Cancelo slaloms in and out of three challenges into the area and works a shooting opportunity on his right.

The shot lacks power and is a simple save, but that would have been a brilliant solo goal.

I cancel fires just over

A corner is recycled and comes out to Joao Cancelo, who takes aim and his shot is narrowly over the bar.

back underground

No sign of any changes at the break, but the City players were deep in conversation as they came out. A sign of a change in tactics?

Sterling sets Premier League record

That penalty was significant as it handed Raheem Sterling a bit of Premier League history.

No player has won more penalties in the history of the competition, with Sterling now on 23 spot kicks won.

Half-time ratings

Ederson – Excellent, brave save 7

stones – Slip gave Bees a chance 6

Days -Set up Laporte, great block at other end 8

Laporte – Closest to scoring from open play 7

I cancel – Poor pass handed Brentford a chance 5

rodry – Starting to close the lid 6

Bernard – A peripheral figure 5

DeBruyne – Lacking his usual precision 6

Mahrez – Great penalty, stretching the Bees 7

Foden – Tireless and creative 7

Sterling – Causing havoc, won penalty 8

half-time

Well it wasn’t straightforward, but City finally found the breakthrough in that tight half, with Riyad Mahrez converting from the spot after Raheem Sterling was brought down.

Pep Guardiola may want improvement after the break, though, as Brentford have shown this answer is far from over.

Ederson can continue

Good news as Ederson is back to his feet.

We’re into two minutes of added time.

Panic at the back

Brentford break well after John Stones can’t control a long ball.

Ederson collects the shot but takes a full blow from Sergi Canos, running in and is being checked for a head injury.

He’s responding to physios, who are conducting concussion checks.

Mahrez scores!

Another confident penalty from the in-form man. He’s scored in his last seven outings for City now.

Penalty!

Raheem Sterling is brought down and wins a penalty.

Miscommunication

A clearance hits Phil Foden and heads towards Ederson. Ruben Dias tries to clear the path to the goalkeeper to come and collect, but changes his mind at the last minute and unconvincingly kicks it out for a corner.

That’s exactly the scenario Guardiola warned against, but the manager will be relieved it came to nothing in the end.

So close!

Ruben Dias knocks down a deep free kick for Aymeric Laporte, who chests the ball down and passes the effort millimeters wide of the far post.

City’s best chance yet.