Follow live coverage as Brentford face Manchester City today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.

The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.

Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:

Brentford FC 2 - 2 Manchester City FC

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:31

We were promised goals in this one and goals are what we got, even if a bit later than expected! Both teams wasted a host of chances in the first half, with Haaland and Wissa the culprits on either end. City were more wasteful at the start of the second half as well, but Foden, who enjoys scoring against Brentford, met a lovely ball from De Bruyne to fire City into the lead in the 66th minute. It was not long before he converted another one from close range and it seemed as if City were running with it. But Brentford, as they often do at home, had more left in the tank, and scored two goals with 10 minutes through Wissa and Norgaard, with the second goal coming in stoppage time.

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:28

FULL-TIME: BRENTFORD 2-2 MANCHESTER CITY

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:28

AKE SAVES OFF THE LINE AGAIN! Brentford almost win it through Mbeumo, who collects the ball on the right side of the area as Gvardiol cannot deal with him. Mbeumo's shot beats Ortega but Ake is once again there to block on off the line and clear it away. That was so close to a perfect comeback from Brentford!

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:21

Goal Christian Thers Nørgaard

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:21

City come close! Flekken saves Haaland's effort before McAtee fires one just wide of the target from the edge of the box. Meanwhile, five minutes of added time will see through this game.

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:21

McAtee delivers a good cross on the right seconds after coming on, as Yarmoliuk made an error to allow him the opportunity. However, there is no one inside the area to meet the cross. City now happy to just keep the ball and run down the clock.

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:21

Brentford are making a change as well as Henry is on the pitch for his first league appearance in more than a year, replacing Roerslev.

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:19

A couple of changes before City's second corner. First up, Foden is replaced by McAtee, who scored a hat-trick over the weekend.

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:18

City have a couple of quick chances soon after that goal, but Brentford stay in this game for now. First, De Bruyne drags an effort wide, before Flekken gets down low to save Savinho's latest effort. City win a corner, but Brentford deal with it momentarily, before City win another one down their right.

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:12

Shouts for a penalty go up from Brentford and the referee does not award them the penalty, despite having a bit of long thought. VAR agrees with him.

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:13

Assist Mads Roerslev Rasmussen

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:08

Substitution Vitaly Janelt Yehor Yarmoliuk

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:08

Goal Philip Walter Foden

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:06

Brentford are enjoying a very good phase of possession here in the hunt for an equaliser but Manchester City are sitting deep and trying to make it difficult. Brentford make inroads as Mbeumo finds Schade inside the box, but Schade fires a shot wide. It would not have mattered anyway as Schade was just about offside.

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:05

Substitution Mateo Kovačić İlkay Gündoğan

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:04

Ortega makes a save now! Roerslev fires a shot at goal from the edge of the box, but the City goalkeeper does much better on this occasion to push the effort away and City hurriedly clear the ball and survive yet again.

Brentford vs Manchester City

21:03

AKE MAKES A SAVE OFF THE LINE! Ortega comes out to meet a charging Mbeumo on the right side of the area, thus leaving his goal open. Wissa, who is in the middle, wins a pass from Mbeumo and strikes towards goal, but Ake is there to make a superb block! City hang on to their lead but just about and Brentford are looking dangerous since that City goal.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:57

Substitution Mathias Jensen Kevin Schade

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:57

GOAL DISALLOWED FOR OFFSIDE! Damsgaard collects a lovely back pass on the edge of the box and fires home into the bottom corner, but the offside flag is up! VAR took a brief look, but agreed with the on-field decision.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:56

Assist Kevin De Bruyne

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:55

Brentford break on the counter and have a golden opportunity with numbers in their favour. Mbeumo does well to find Wissa on his right, but Gvardiol makes an absolutely superb tackle to snatch the ball away from Wissa. A few seconds later, Van den Berg sends a shot into the stands.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:52

Moments later, Foden sends in another very good cross from the left flank this time, but Akanji's effort is well wide of the target. At the other end, Janelt makes a mess of a good opportunity for Brentford, sending his shot well wide and high from the left side of the area.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:50

Only Chelsea (15), Bournemouth (13) and Liverpool (12) have hit the woodwork on more occasions in the PL this season than Man City (11). Meanwhile, Lewis-Potter turns a cross from the left behind for a City corner. Foden's corner-kick is a good one and finds its way into the danger area, but Brentford just about do well to clear it away.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:49

Savinho hits the side netting! He is played in by De Bruyne down the left, makes another pacy run into the box, but his effort hits the side netting at the near post. Savinho has been active so far in the second half and City have been able to send him through on goal on a couple of occasions already.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:47

Wissa does well to earn a throw for Brentford down the left and the crowd is now really getting into it. Jensen fires a long throw into the box but Akanji is there to make a comfortable clearance.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:45

An excellent one-two between Jensen and Lewis-Potter as Brentford make a move. The ball falls to Janelt just outside the box and his left-footed effort is saved by Ortega, who dives low to his left.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:43

Brentford do well on the break moments later, but Mbeumo's effort with a bit of a tight angle is well wide and over the crossbar. At the other end, Haaland rises high to meet a powerful header but hits it straight at Flekken. Once again, Haaland should do much much better than that.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:41

OFF THE POST! Savinho comes ever so close at the other end! He charges towards the box with some serious pace, makes light work of Janelt who cannot keep up with him, but his effort smashes into the woodwork on the bottom-right corner. That's the closest either team has come so far!

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:37

Brentford come close! A free-kick for Brentford deep on their left flank as Nunes barges into Wissa. That was quite an unnecessary challenge and Brentford have a good early opportunity in the second half. Jensen delivers a dangerous-looking set-piece but Collins flicks his header just wide.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:35

We are back underway at the Gtech Community Stadium as Brentford get things going in the second half. Neither side has made any substitutions at half-time, but both have strong options on the bench, particularly Manchester City.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:28

Manchester City had an xG of 0.64 to Brentford's 0.27 in the opening 45 minutes, with Haaland recording an xG of 0.28. De Bruyne created five chances in the first half, only Dejan Kulusevski (six vs Man Utd in September) has created more in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game this season. City also had 20 touches in the opposition box in the first half to only nine for Brentford.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:25

A very exciting half of football at the Gtech with both teams showing great intensity somehow ends in a stalemate. Brentford certainly had the better openings of the two sides, more so in the first 30 minutes of the opening half as Mbeumo and Wissa were able to make a lot of inroads into the City box, but the Bees have been let down by their lack of conviction in the final third. Manchester City have had some very good moments on the break as well, but their finishing has been poor. Haaland had a couple of moments where he could, and should, have converted, but Brentford have been able to deny him for the moment. City had twice as many shots on goal compared to their opponents - eight to Brentford's four with two on target.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:19

Another promising City move sees Kovacic collecting a pass on the edge of the box before playing it to De Bruyne on the left side of the area. However, De Bruyne smashes a curling effort taken first time well wide and high of the target. That was quite wayward. Meanwhile, there will be one added minute here.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:19

HALF-TIME: BRENTFORD 0-0 MANCHESTER CITY

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:17

De Bruyne picks up the ball on the left and makes a run towards the box, but it is Wissa, who tracked back a long way, making a sliding tackle and snatching possession away from City. Very good defensive work from Brentford's star forward.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:14

De Bruyne has created five chances so far, the first time he has created at least five chances in a match in the Premier League since facing Brentford on 14th September 2024. Something for City to be thrilled about on an evening which has otherwise been quite frustrating so far.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:13

Gvardiol plays a delightful ball to De Bruyne in the middle part of the pitch, which allows De Bruyne to pick out an unmarked Haaland on the left. Haaland runs with it for a bit and then takes a shot but Flekken is there to collect it. Haaland, by his lofty standards, should do better there, and he knows it.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:11

Haaland meets a cross inside the box and heads it across the six-yard box. However, there isn't even one City shirt to meet his delivery and he makes his disappointment known to his team-mates after that.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:08

Brentford have the highest shot conversion rate of any side in the Premier League this season (17.8%), while only Wolves (16.2%) have a higher conversion rate against them than City (13.9%).

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:07

Lewis-Potter diverts away a cross from the City left flank at the far post and Flekken cannot stop the ball from going behind for a corner for the visitors. City's short corner is worked to Kovacic on the edge of the box, but his effort flies just about wide of the bottom-left corner of the goal past Flekken.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:04

Guardiola looks nervous on the sidelines and rightly so, with Brentford causing his team some problems. They have had good opportunities themselves to get an early lead, but have been denied by some strong Brentford defending and the lack of good decision-making from some of their attacking stars. However, City have looked a bit more settled in the last 10 minutes or so.

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:01

Wow, City with another huge chance now! Nunes is clear on goal but he is stopped in his tracks as Brentford block and clear the threat. Nunes should have done better there and just took a lot of time to get a shot/pass away. Moments later, City break on the counter again through Savinho, but Collins makes a great stop to deny him. Breathless stuff!

Brentford vs Manchester City

20:00

After City clear the initial corner with ease, Damsgaard is unmarked at the edge of the box and rips a thunderous volley. Thankfully for City, Ortega gets down to make a crucial save!

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:58

City survive once again! Another big Brentford chance! Lewis-Potter slides in a square pass, but Ake is there to clear it away. City appeal for offside but Lewis-Potter was just about onside.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:56

City with their best chance so far! De Bruyne whips in a lovely ball from the left and successfully picks out Haaland making a run at the back post. But Haaland just about directs his header wide. Haaland has scored 44% of Man City’s Premier League goals this season (16/36), the highest share of any player for their team this term.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:53

Wissa wastes another very good opportunity stemming from another superb run from the Bees going forward. He flashes a shot across just wide of the target after picking up a pass from Damsgaard and twisting and turning with ease to go past Akanji.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:51

Brentford are already looking very dangerous going forward. 52% of their attacks in the opening 15 minutes of this game have come down their right-hand side. Both teams have had a shot on target so far. Mbuemo, who has had a hand in 11 goals across his 10 home Premier League appearances for Brentford this season (nine goals and two assists), has been very active so far.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:49

SAVE! Mbuemo again and Ortega denies him now! Mbuemo makes a rapid run towards the box after collecting the ball on the right wing. Gvardiol allows Mbeumo to get in a good position to take a shot with his left foot, but Ortega dives to his left and makes a good low save.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:48

Excellent from Mbuemo and Brentford come very close! Mbeumo delivers a brilliant ball to meet Wissa's run inside the box, but it barely evades Wissa and City survive. A bright start from both teams as expected and we might see a good amount of goals tonight.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:46

Brentford win a free-kick in a good spot just outside the box as Kovacic fouls Mbeumo from behind. The Bees try to find Wissa's run down the right side of the area, but it is easy for City who clear the threat away with ease.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:43

There is a shout for a penalty from Brentford as Akanji goes into the back of Wissa. However, referee Anthony Taylor continues the game and is having none of that appeal from Brentford. On we go. Wissa has 11 goals involvement in his last nine home Premier League appearances.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:42

Gvardiol finds good space and sets himself up on the edge of the box to take a shot, but his rather tame effort is straight at Flekken. A very proactive start this from Manchester City and they know they cannot let Brentford get away with the early momentum.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:39

Good from Brentford! They win a corner and City clear Mbuemo's delivery with ease. However, soon after, Janelt makes a brilliant run from midfield and finds Wissa on the left, only for Wissa to drag his shot wide of the near post.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:37

A lovely through ball from De Bruyne is met by Foden, who was making a run towards the box. But Jensen does well to clear and give City an early corner. However, De Bruyne's delivery is cleared rather comfortably by the Brentford defence.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:35

Manchester City are big favourites to win this match with Opta's Live Win Probability model showing a strong 56.6% probability of a win for the visitors and only 21.5% for Brentford. Nunes is playing at right-back for City. The start to this game has not been as eventful as the reverse fixture, but we can expect it to get intense.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:33

KICK-OFF! After a minute of applause for former Manchester City player and manager Tony Book, who has passed away aged 90, we are underway in this clash at the Gtech Community Stadium as City get the ball rolling. Wissa gave the Bees the lead after just 22 seconds in the reverse fixture. It would be too much to expect a start today as exciting as that one. But you never know, right? Let’s see how this goes!

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:30

The teams are making their way out to the pitch, the managers and players are ready, and so are the fans who have turned up in huge numbers for this big clash. Brentford have won two of these two sides’ last five fixtures - all in the Premier League - but Manchester City have won the last two, including a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:25

City have made eight changes from the FA Cup win over Salford. However, there is only one change from the league win over West Ham last time out, as Nunes replaces Lewis in defence. Ake and Savinho are both starting tonight. McAtee, last weekend's hat-trick hero against Salford, is on the bench along with Doku, who scored a brace in that game.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:20

Brentford have rung in the changes, making six of them for this game from the XI that started against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, but almost the same XI that started against Southampton. Lewis-Potter starts in place of Henry, who is part of a Premier League matchday squad for the first time in over a year. Norgaard is back and so is Janelt, who replaces Schade. Mbuemo and Wissa will start up front.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:20

MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1): Stefan Ortega; Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol; Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes; Savinho, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden; Erling Haaland.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:20

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Divin Mubama, Nico O'Reilly, Rico Lewis, James McAtee.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:15

BRENTFORD SUBS: Rico Henry, Hakon Valdimarsson, Kevin Schade, Fabio Carvalho, Ben Mee, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Paris Maghoma, Yunus Konak, Kim Ji-Soo.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:15

BRENTFORD (4-3-3): Mark Flekken; Keane Lewis-Potter, Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, Mads Roerslev; Vitaly Janelt, Mathias Jensen, Christian Norgaard; Mikkel Damsgaard, Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:10

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City finally have some momentum on their side. After a run which saw them winning only one out of 13 games across competitions, the reigning champions have won three in a row, including back-to-back league victories against Leicester City and West Ham United, before hammering Salford City 8-0 in the FA Cup over the weekend. Five different players scored for Manchester City in that game, including Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish. Scoring goals has not been a big issue for City even during the winless run as they have scored in each of their last seven league games. A 4-1 win over West Ham in their previous league game kept City in sixth place on the table, but only two points off the Champions League places. While challenging for the title seems quite far-fetched at the moment, Manchester City are very much in the top-4 battle and cannot now afford another slump in form, especially with a challenging run of fixtures on the horizon. Having rested most of his regular starters in the Salford victory, Guardiola has pretty much a fresh squad to pick from for this game against Brentford, barring the likes of Ruben Dias and John Stones, who are still out of contention. Much of the talk in the build-up to this game has been around Kyle Walker’s future after Guardiola confirmed that his star right-back had asked for a transfer away from the club, and Walker has not travelled with the squad for this game.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:04

Being on the wrong end of one of the biggest upsets of the latest round of FA Cup fixtures is the last thing Brentford manager Thomas Frank would have wanted just before hosting Manchester City, despite the four-time defending champions having a poor season themselves. The Bees’ 1-0 loss to Plymouth Argyle over the weekend was their third straight defeat at the Gtech across competitions, thus making them vulnerable hosts of late after having the best home record for any team in the Premier League for the better part of the season so far. Goals are almost guaranteed when Brentford play, but even they have failed to score in three of their last five games. However, that run also includes a 5-0 away win over Southampton the last time out in the Premier League, which was their first away league win of the season. That victory meant that Brentford are currently 11th in the league, but only three ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and four ahead of Manchester United and West Ham United. With Liverpool and Spurs set to be two of their next three opponents after Manchester City, a good result against the champions is important. Rico Henry is set for his first Premier League appearance in over a year, while Ben Mee, Vitaly Janelt, and Christian Norgaard are also available.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:04

After an eventful FA Cup weekend, we’re back with some midweek Premier League action. Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League clash between Brentford and Manchester City at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Brentford vs Manchester City

19:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Brentford vs Manchester City

17:30

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…