Man City 3-0 Brentford: Is Jeremy Doku keeping his side in title race?
Manchester City’s challenge may depend on Doku continuing to produce moments of brilliance that will drag his side towards the finish line.
He scored in three consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time in his Manchester City career.
On Saturday, he gave winger Michael Kayode a tiring spell, rotating the Brentford full-back in and out throughout the game and could have scored in the opening two minutes but was denied by Caoimhin Kelleher.
His performance was widely praised, with MOTD expert Ashley Williams saying it was “the best we’ve seen from Jeremy Doku”.
The former Wales international defender added: “From a defender’s point of view I’m not sure how I can stop him. “He’s physically strong, he can go left or right, it’s one thing if he accelerates but also if he slows down he can leave you flat.
“He was up against Kayode, who I really admire, and he couldn’t deal with him. He’s been the best player in the Premier League for the last few weeks.”
Former City striker Daniel Sturridge told Sky Sports: “He was an outstanding player. The goal he scored in that game was beautiful. It was a great finish.
“This is the end point for him now. The repetitions in training are paying off. His game is improving, he is becoming more determined in these moments.
“Confidence is the key for attackers, it’s the most important thing. If you doubt yourself at any moment you can’t make a difference. Now he thinks ‘I can do this, I can score goals’.”
Doku’s excellent performance made him the third player in the Premier League this season after Bukayo Saka and Elliot Anderson to create six or more chances and complete six or more dribbles.
“He is a top-level player,” Brentford boss Keith Andrews said. “If it’s not Doku, then someone else will step up and that’s the luxury Pep has – players who are incredibly talented, game changers who can change the course of the game and ultimately that’s what happened with the first goal.”
Doku dedicated his last goal to his father, who turned 60 on Saturday, and said: “Today is his birthday.
“I will be a father soon and he sacrificed his life for me every time, bringing me to the club without knowing my current situation.
“For me, it’s a big thing, so I’m grateful he’s turning 60 and that’s why I wanted to give him that goal. It’s a blessing to have him around.”
