Manuel Akanji received praise from Michael Brown for his outstanding performance in Manchester City’s Tuesday night victory over Brentford, a match where City closed the gap at the top of the Premier League table to just one point. Erling Haaland secured the only goal at the Etihad Stadium, marking his 17th Premier League goal of the season and achieving a unique feat by scoring against every Premier League opponent he has faced.

Speaking on City’s Matchday Live show on YouTube after the game, former City midfielder Michael Brown lauded Akanji’s contribution. Brown, who spoke with City presenter FG live from the Etihad Stadium, expressed satisfaction with City’s performance, highlighting their patience against a resolute Brentford side that defended with their entire team behind the ball for most of the game.

Despite Haaland’s decisive goal, Brown emphasized Akanji’s standout performance, naming him the man of the match. Akanji, usually playing in the middle or occasionally on the right, was a surprising starter at left-back. Brown acknowledged the difficulty of playing in that position, particularly stepping forward, and commended Akanji’s deserving recognition as the man of the match.

Akanji’s versatility shone through as he adapted seamlessly to the left-back role, showcasing comfort and excellence in his use of the ball. Beyond defensive contributions, he provided an attacking threat, with a notable long-range shot in the first half that tested the opposing goalkeeper, Mark Flekken. Brown noted Akanji’s ability to break the lines and contribute teasing balls into the box.

Despite City having solid left-back options in Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake, Akanji’s impressive performance demonstrated his ability to seamlessly slot into the left side, providing Pep Guardiola with valuable flexibility and depth in defensive positions.

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.

Stuart Pearce has identified a potential vulnerability in Manchester City’s gameplay despite their recent win against Brentford. While City secured a narrow victory after a disappointing draw with Chelsea, Pearce observed a pattern in recent performances.

In an interview with TalkSport, Pearce expressed his concern, stating, “They are too composed on the ball, not giving it away easily. They lure you into chasing, and then they turn and move beyond you. It resembles a basketball defense, defending the goal area while allowing width. However, in both the Chelsea game and yesterday’s match, City has shown susceptibility to being exploited behind.”

Pearce elaborated, “They play with a relatively high line during turnovers, and Brentford missed a couple of chances in the first half. Teams with pace and the ability to break City’s press quickly can expose this vulnerability.”

While City’s recent win elevated them to second place, just one point behind Liverpool, Pearce highlighted instances where opponents have exploited their high defensive line. He pointed out the challenges City faced against Wolves earlier in the season and how Chelsea scored by capitalizing on defensive lapses.

Although City’s pressing game is formidable, Pearce emphasized that teams capable of repeatedly breaking through and exploiting their defensive line with speed have found success. Despite occasional vulnerabilities, City’s overall dominance and pressing prowess make it challenging for opponents to capitalize consistently.