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Manchester City overcame a resilient Brentford side, keeping their title aspirations alive.
Jeremy Doku stated last month that he needed to increase his goal output to be considered among the world’s elite wingers.
Is he now part of that conversation?
The Belgium international’s recent performances are proving crucial in Manchester City‘s pursuit of this season’s title, highlighted by another standout display in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Brentford.
Doku initiated the scoring against the determined Bees, cutting inside to deliver a superb curling finish, reminiscent of his late equalizer at Everton on Monday.
The 23-year-old has now registered four significant goals in his last three appearances, including the strike against Brentford, a double at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and a goal against Southampton, which helped City secure their place in the FA Cup final.
Indeed, he boasts seven goal involvements in his past six matches – five goals and two assists – matching his total from the preceding 24 games.
“If you aspire to become a better player, you must win games on your own merit,” stated manager Pep Guardiola. “Providing good crosses for others is insufficient; you must win games and score goals.”
“At Everton, the 3-3 goal was executed with his right [foot], while the first goal was with his left. He has made remarkable progress in demonstrating ‘I am Jeremy Doku, and I will win games.’ The greatest players possess that mentality.”
Doku told BBC Match of the Day: “I am an instinctive player. At the moment, it is working out well. I have scored some goals. I have always played instinctively, but now the goals are coming.”
“I haven’t become a different player.”
Man City close gap to Arsenal with victory over Brentford
Doku targets more goals to enter ‘world’s best winger’ discussion
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Doku has learned to be more selfish in front of goal – Rooney
Manchester City‘s title challenge may hinge on Doku’s continued ability to produce moments of brilliance to propel his team towards the finish line.
He has scored in three consecutive appearances across all competitions for the first time in his Manchester City career.
On Saturday, the winger proved a handful for Michael Kayode, consistently outmaneuvering the Brentford full-back throughout the match, and he could have scored within the opening two minutes, only to be denied by Caoimhin Kelleher.
His performance received widespread praise, with Match of the Day analyst Ashley Williams describing it as “the best we have seen of Jeremy Doku.”
The former Wales centre-back added: “From a defender’s perspective, I am unsure how one would stop him. He is physically strong, capable of going right or left, his acceleration is exceptional, and his deceleration can leave you flat-footed.”
“He was up against Kayode, whom I rate highly, but he simply couldn’t handle him. He has been the Premier League’s standout player in recent weeks.”
Former Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge also spoke highly of Doku on Sky Sports: “He has been exceptional. The goal he scored in this game was a thing of beauty. It’s a brilliant finish.”
“That is now his signature finish. The repetitions in training are paying dividends. His game is progressing, and he is becoming more decisive in those moments.”
“Confidence is crucial for attackers; it is the most important element. If you harbor any self-doubt, you won’t make a difference. Now he is thinking, ‘I can do this; I can score.'”
Doku’s stellar showing made him just the third player in the Premier League this season to create six or more chances and complete six or more dribbles, joining Bukayo Saka and Elliot Anderson.
“Brentford boss Keith Andrews stated, “He is a top player. If it isn’t Doku, someone else will step up, and that is the luxury Pep possesses – phenomenally talented players, game-changers who can decide games, which is ultimately what occurred with the first goal.”
Doku dedicated his latest goal to his father, who celebrated his 60th birthday on Saturday, saying, “It’s his birthday.”
“I am soon to be a father myself, and he sacrificed his life for me, taking me to the club without knowing what I would become.”
“For me, that is significant. His turning 60 is something I am grateful for, and that is why I wanted to dedicate this goal to him. Having him around is a blessing.”
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Scoring goals isn’t about being a genius; it’s about bringing players closer to Haaland – Guardiola
The prevailing sentiment is that this season’s title race hinges on Arsenal‘s visit to relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday.
Should Mikel Arteta’s side secure a victory, the trophy is theirs to claim with two games remaining.
Those matches are against already-relegated Burnley and Crystal Palace, who have a Europa Conference League final to navigate.
However, if Arsenal draw or lose against the Hammers, the door reopens for City, who have upcoming fixtures against Palace and Bournemouth before concluding against Aston Villa.
When asked if he would watch Sunday’s Arsenal match, Guardiola told BBC Radio 5 Live that his sister was visiting as he has “not seen her for a long time,” but if he is at home, “of course, I will take a look and watch – I like football.”
Haaland, meanwhile, has reached 50 goals for the season across club and country and stated that the players “can’t think of the title race,” but he will have “notifications on his phone” regarding the Arsenal–West Ham game.
Guardiola concluded Saturday’s post-match press conference by saying, “Come on you Irons,” before gesturing the Hammers symbol with his arms crossed above his head.
The Spaniard is aware that his team needs a favor from Nuno Espirito Santo’s men to maintain their title hopes.
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