Michael Brown commended Manuel Akanji for his exceptional performance in Manchester City’s Tuesday night victory over Brentford, which narrowed the gap at the top of the Premier League to just one point. Erling Haaland secured the sole goal of the game at the Etihad Stadium, marking his 17th Premier League goal of the season and extending his scoring streak against every Premier League opponent faced.

Appearing on City’s Matchday Live show on YouTube, former City midfielder Michael Brown expressed his satisfaction with City’s performance, highlighting their patience against a resilient Brentford side that had their entire team behind the ball for most of the game. Despite the challenging defensive setup, Haaland’s second-half goal sealed the win. Brown particularly praised Akanji, who unexpectedly started as a left-back.

Akanji, earning £180,000 per week, is more accustomed to playing in the middle or occasionally on the right, making his left-back role a surprise. As Akanji walked past him towards the tunnel, Brown acknowledged his contribution, saying, “There he is. Played in a left-back position (tonight). It’s not easy to do, stepping forward. His shot as well… he deserved it (man of the match).”

While Haaland dominated headlines with the decisive goal, Akanji’s standout performance in an unusual position did not go unnoticed. Despite his limited experience at left-back, Akanji displayed remarkable comfort in the role, showcasing excellent ball distribution and posing an attacking threat. His long-range shot in the first half and well-placed deliveries demonstrated his versatility.

With solid left-back options like Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake, Akanji’s seamless adaptation to the position adds depth to Pep Guardiola’s choices. The Swiss international’s versatility provides City with a reliable option on the left side of defense.

Manchester City is pursuing their fourth consecutive Premier League title this season, but pundit Danny Murphy suggests that Arsenal or Liverpool could thwart their dominance. The 2023/24 title race is intensifying, with City’s recent win over Brentford narrowing the gap to just two points among the top three teams.

Erling Haaland secured the lone goal in the game at the Etihad Stadium, marking a more satisfying evening for him compared to the previous match against Chelsea. The title race may go down to the wire this season, with City, Arsenal, and Liverpool emerging as strong contenders.

Despite being the bookies’ favorites, City has shown defensive vulnerabilities this season. Players like Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker, and Ederson have not performed as well as last season, and new signing Josko Gvardiol is adapting to English football in his debut season. City has conceded 26 goals in the league, two more than Liverpool and four more than Arsenal.

Danny Murphy points out that City’s defensive frailties provide hope for Arsenal and Liverpool. According to Murphy, a notable change in City’s system has made them more vulnerable this season. Last season, they often deployed a full-back in midfield to create an extra midfielder. However, this season, the tweak involves a central defender, either Akanji or Stones, moving into midfield from a central position, making them more susceptible.

Former City manager Stuart Pearce also suggests that the high defensive line could be exploited by other teams. City’s defensive struggles this season are evident, and adjustments are needed to regain the solidity they displayed in the second half of the previous season.

Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the injury situation involving Kevin De Bruyne following Manchester City’s 1-0 victory against Brentford. The surprise decision to have the £400,000-a-week midfielder on the bench raised eyebrows, especially in a crucial game for City’s Premier League title race.

Guardiola’s choice not to start De Bruyne and substitute Jeremy Doku instead, despite the game being tied at 0-0 before Erling Haaland’s decisive goal, fueled speculation about a potential injury. Guardiola addressed the situation after the match, shedding light on De Bruyne’s suspected hamstring issue.

“We cannot use Kevin [De Bruyne] today because he has niggles in his hamstring position, I didn’t want to take any risks with him,” Guardiola explained, emphasizing a cautious approach to the star player’s fitness. Despite categorizing the concern as not serious, Guardiola stressed the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks, stating, “He’s okay, it’s just more caution and prevention that I think, but he didn’t feel comfortable. The doctor said it is a little risk, and I said, okay. After five months off, we didn’t take any risks about that over him.”

Guardiola’s decision not to risk De Bruyne during this crucial stage of the season is seen as a wise move. As Manchester City faces challenging opponents like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa in March, preserving De Bruyne’s fitness becomes paramount. Given the midfielder’s significance to the team, ensuring his full recovery is crucial for City’s aspirations in both the Premier League and the Champions League. Fans hope for his swift return to action to minimize the impact of his potential absence in upcoming crucial fixtures.