As Manchester City prepares to host Brentford this Saturday, it's the perfect moment to revisit one of the most memorable encounters between these two sides—a game that showcased the sheer brilliance of Riyad Mahrez at his absolute peak.
Brentford's visits to the Etihad have become a fixture that always demands respect, but their trip in February 2022 carried extra weight. It marked their first league visit to Manchester in 71 years and their first top-flight meeting since Christmas Day 1937. Unfortunately for the Bees, they arrived at a time when City were simply unstoppable—boasting 16 wins in their last 18 matches across all competitions.
Leading the charge was Riyad Mahrez, a player who had transformed into the ultimate game-changer. The Algerian wizard entered the match with seven goals and four assists in his previous six appearances, a run that included goals and assists in three consecutive Premier League victories over Leeds, Newcastle, and Leicester—where City racked up a staggering 17 goals combined.
After a brief rest during a 1-0 away win at Brentford, Mahrez returned to score a penalty in the dramatic New Year's Day victory at Arsenal, where Rodri snatched a late winner. Following a frustrating African Cup of Nations campaign, he came back with a vengeance, bagging two goals and an assist in the 4-1 FA Cup triumph over Fulham.
Pep Guardiola couldn't hide his admiration. "As a player, he has a special quality," the City boss said after the Fulham win. "In the last year we struggled with penalties, and now he is a guarantee. He scores every penalty he takes, especially under pressure."
Against Brentford, Mahrez once again proved his ice-cold composure from 12 yards. Just before halftime, with City pushing for an opener, Mads Roerslev's rash tackle on Raheem Sterling handed Mahrez the perfect opportunity. He stepped up, sent goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way, and buried the penalty with the kind of clinical precision that defined his time in sky blue.
It was a moment that captured everything special about Mahrez—the silky footwork, the unshakeable confidence, and the ability to deliver when it mattered most. A true masterclass from a player who made the beautiful game look effortless.