Pep Guardiola salutes Jeremy Doku after Manchester City star dazzles in win over Brentford

MANCHESTER – Pep Guardiola praised the “outstanding” Jeremy Doku for keeping Manchester City in the English Premier League title race with a superb strike in the 3-0 win against Brentford on May 9.

Doku ended Brentford’s stubborn resistance on the hour mark at the Etihad Stadium when he curled a fine finish into the top corner.

It was the Belgium winger’s fourth goal in his last three games in all competitions for City, including a pair of dazzling efforts in a 3-3 draw at Everton on May 4.

Erling Haaland back-heeled in a second to move four goals clear of Brentford’s Igor Thiago in the battle for the Golden Boot.

Haaland then turned provider for Omar Marmoush to score what could be a vital third in stoppage time.

City’s failure to beat Everton has taken the destiny of the title race out of their hands, but Doku ensured they kept the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

Guardiola’s men are two points behind the Gunners, who travel to struggling West Ham United on May 10 in a match that ended after press time.

“Jeremy is outstanding in many things. Looks like a final product already and of course he can improve,” Guardiola said.

“Always had this incredible ability to dribble and to make action and connection, it’s outstanding.

“But now it’s winning games. I’m so incredibly pleased to have a guy that brings energy and that can score goals.”

Doku told the BBC: “I’m an instinct player. Today it’s working out. I scored some goals, I’ve always played with instinct but now the goals are coming. I haven’t been a different player.”

Former Wales and Swansea City defender Ashley Williams feels this is “the best we have seen of Jeremy Doku”.

He said on the BBC: “From a defender’s point of view, I am not sure I would know how to stop him. He is physically strong, can go right or left, his acceleration is something else but also his deceleration can leave you flat-footed.

“He was up against (Michael) Kayode, who I really rate, and he just couldn’t handle him. He has been the best player in the Premier League these last few weeks.”

While Brentford boss Keith Andrews also hailed Doku’s quality, he emphasised that City had no shortage of quality players.

“He is a top player,” Andrews said. “If it’s not Doku, then someone else will step up and that is the luxury Pep has – phenomenally talented players, game changers who can decide games and that is ultimately what happened with the first goal.”

Arsenal will clinch the title if they win their last three games against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

“We will see, that is not in our hands. We will do our job. We didn’t do it perfectly with Everton. We will do our job and wait,” Guardiola said.

“We suffered in the first minutes today but after that we played a really good game. Especially left side in the first half, both sides in the second.”

He conceded City’s failure to close out games at times this season is likely to prove their undoing.

“Everton was the real proof, 3-1 down and emotions. The second half we give away. It happened last season many times, now we’re more solid but we still give away,” he said.

“That’s football, it’s how you react. I’m pleased for the way we have done it.”

However, he added that he is “loving” the Premier League run-in, despite his side no longer controlling their own fate.

“I love it. I love to be here again, we’ll finish second again in this season, minimum,” Guardiola said. “Last season, we were fighting to qualify for the Champions League, was so difficult.

“I love too Carabao (League Cup) in our pocket. We play an FA Cup final in Wembley, it is the most beautiful game of the season.” AFP, REUTERS