Man City’s best and worst players in defeat against Brentford

Ethan Pinnock consigned Treble-chasing Manchester City to a final-day defeat as Brentford completed a Premier League double over the champions.

With the title long since sewn up, Pep Guardiola rested some of his big hitters ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup final, and a potentially historic Champions League showpiece seven days later.

With Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish missing completely and Erling Haaland left on the bench, it was a scratch City side and those established stars who did play, like Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez, had little impact.

Despite the youthful look to the team, it was the away team who stamped their authority early on.

After being fed through by Nathan Ake, Cole Palmer travelled into the Brentford penalty area with the ball, forcing an early save from goalkeeper David Raya.

That was the best chance for Manchester City during the first 45 minutes, with the home side taking control of proceedings, despite City having the lions share of possession in the first half.

Starting in the same way the first half ended, it was the home side who started strong, with the Brentford faithful bemused following a decision that went against them, after the ball appeared to strike the hand of Rico Lewis in the penalty area.

Despite not particularly troubling Ederson, the hosts pushed and probed, putting the newly-crowned Premier League champions under the cosh.

A late goal came as the home side managed to find a breakthrough with six minutes to go, after the ball was knocked back into the path of Ethan Pinnock, who converted clinically, giving the West London side the lead.

The goal was the final action of the game, as Brentford completed a double over the Premier League champions.

Here’s who impressed and who flattered to deceive down again Brentford, courtesy of Manchester Evening News and City Xtra player ratings.

Manchester Evening News player ratings

Ederson: Made a few decent saves and showed control of his area to continue his recent form. 7

Walker: Some ragged but effective defending against tricky forwards, but lost his man for the goal. 6

Laporte: Led the defence well in organising the back line and useful help for Ederson from goalkicks. 7

Ake: A welcome return to the team after injury, and fared well before an early substitution. 7

Gomez: The right kind of quiet performance, shuttling the ball forward and avoiding drama but beaten for the goal. 6

Phillips: Looking more comfortable in the shirt, even if he did his best Walker impression from long range. 7

Lewis: Everything City did went through him as he linked defence to attack as Rodri would. 8

Palmer: City’s most dangerous attacker gave another strong outing to end his season well. 8

Mahrez: Looks to have blown any chance of starting a final after struggling to be involved again. 5

Foden: Some direct runs that caused Hickey problems but couldn’t threaten Raya in goal. 6

Alvarez: One early chance but not much after that, although there was plenty of running. 6

Substitutes

Charles (for Ake, 64) Composed at the back on his club debut. 6

Not used: Ortega, Stones, Rodri, Robertson, Knight, Bernardo, Gundogan, Haaland

City Xtra Player ratings:

Ederson – 6.5

Largely untroubled but reliable when called upon, it was a standard afternoon in the sunshine for Ederson. The Brazilian could do nothing about the Brentford winner.

Kyle Walker – 5

Not the finest afternoon for Walker, as his counterpart Yoane Wissa seemingly had the beating of the full-back every time.

Nathan Ake – 7

Returning back to the starting line-up, it was a warm return for Ake who shown a solid display against the Bees.

Aymeric Laporte – 7 (MOTM)

Likewise to Nathan Ake, it was also a solid outing for the Spaniard who didn’t put a foot wrong in defence, despite the Brentford goal.

Sergio Gomez – 4

It’s been a mixed first season for Sergio Gomez in England, but his final league appearance of the season won’t be one he looks back on too fondly, we suspect.

Rico Lewis – 6.5

Perhaps a tad fortunate not to concede a penalty, but it was another impressive showing from the youngster, further displaying his versatility in this side.

Kalvin Phillips – 6

After announcing his plans to stay for the five years of his contract, Phillips was granted a start against Brentford. It was a relatively tame display, with the Englishman not really too involved.

Cole Palmer – 7

Another youngster given a chance, Palmer looked comfortable on the ball and almost scored the equaliser for the Blues, with three successive efforts on goal blocked.

Riyad Mahrez – 6

The most experienced forward was largely ineffective this afternoon.

Julian Alvarez – 6.5

The trademark pressing we associate with Alvarez was in full effective, but the striker couldn’t find a goal. A header late in the first half was the Argentine’s best effort of the afternoon.

Phil Foden – 7

Birthday boy and five-time Premier League winner, the 23-year-old looked sharp on the ball, despite not creating any real chances of note.

Substitutes:

Shea Charles – 6

Charles was handed his senior and Premier League debut after replacing Nathan Ake after the hour mark.