The England international grabbed a hat-trick as the champions overcame a scare to make their dominance count and crank up the pressure on Liverpool

Erling Haaland made his first start for two months but Phil Foden showed him how to score goals, notching a sensational hat-trick to take Manchester City past Brentford and on to Liverpool's heels with a 3-1 win.

It was a whirlwind first half, with City having 10 shots, the most in an opening 45 minutes in the Premier League since records began. But Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken kept beating their efforts away, making a record nine saves before the break.

Brentford, however, took a shock lead with a route-one goal, Flekken booting the ball downfield and through the City defence and Neal Maupay arrowing past Ederson. The relentless pressure from Guardiola's side finally paid off in the third minute of added time in the first half when Foden pounced on slack defending and Flekken was finally beaten.

Foden got the better of the Dutch 'keeper again eight minutes into the second half, nodding in a delicious Kevin De Bruyne cross, and bagged his hat-trick with a sweet finish following a helping hand from Erling Haaland.

Foden's virtuoso display in front of goal ensured City took full advantage of Liverpool losing at Arsenal and although Jurgen Klopp's men remain top, Pep Guardiola's side know they will be champions again if they win all their remaining games.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Gtech Community Stadium…

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Ederson (6/10):

Fluid footwork helped beat Brentford's press and showed good reflexes in the the first half but a little clumsy in the second.

Kyle Walker (7/10):

An all-action performance. Made the most touches in the first half and heavily involved for the second goal.

Nathan Ake (5/10):

Out-muscled by Ivan Toney in the build up to Maupay's goal.

Ruben Dias (6/10):

Exposed at times in the first half. Made crucial block on a Christian Norgaard shot after the break.

Josko Gvardiol (6/10):

Heavily involved, for better and worse. Looked hungry for a goal but lacked the final pass and shot. But he is steadily improving.

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Rodri (7/10):

Had a lot of defensive work to do due to the attacking formation but coped well.

Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):

The driving force behind City's explosive first half. A splendid assist for Foden's second goal and should have scored himself.

Bernardo Silva (6/10):

Not as involved in the attacks as his fellow attackers and a sloppy pass nearly got City in trouble in the first half.

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Phil Foden (9/10):

In devastating form. Kept his head when no one else could to finally beat Flekken and combined superbly with De Bruyne and Haaland to complete only his second career hat-trick.

Erling Haaland (6/10):

Should have done better with a clear strike at goal in the first half. Nice connection with Foden for the hat-trick goal but will not be happy until he scores again.

Julian Alvarez (6/10):

Did well to make the starting XI with all the personnel back. Good movement and link-up play but should have scored with at least one of his five shots on target.

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Jeremy Doku (6/10):

Less vibrant than usual, focusing on maintaining City's grip on the game rather than getting another goal.

Mateo Kovacic (N/A):

Came on in the 86th minute.

Pep Guardiola (7/10):

Fielded an ultra-attacking 4-1-4-1 formation and it paid off handsomely.