Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lauded Brentford’s Ivan Toney as “exceptional” ahead of their upcoming match on Monday. Toney, who netted twice against City last season, has returned to action after serving an eight-month suspension.There will be no bigger occasion for the English goalscorer to prove he belongs in the highest tier of Premier League forwards. After all, setting an example against the best team in the league is the best way to ensure you join such a team in the next transfer window. While many expected Toney to change clubs in January, the weird state of the football market meant he would have to stay at Brentford and continue to boost his profile in the competition.🗣️ “He’s an exceptional player!”Pep Guardiola full of praise for Ivan Toney ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Brentford ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/235sMiSmgL— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 2, 2024 Guardiola expressed his delight at Toney’s return to the pitch after a lengthy absence, emphasizing the importance of forgiving past mistakes.”I’m pleased to see him back, and I hope that period is behind him and his family. Exceptional players like him are always a positive addition to the Premier League. He’s an exceptional player. Not just with the long balls, with keeping the ball and set-pieces, with the penalties as a guarantee. They can link with him for many things, and he’s an extraordinary player.”Guardiola acknowledges Brentford as a significant threat as Manchester City seeks to extend their winning streak, considering the Bees’ two victories over the champions in the Premier League last season.”We know in the past how difficult they have been. Even when we won, it was always tight, and we lost the two games we played last season. So we know the difficulty of the way they play, the standards that they have. They are clear, and they believe it, and they apply really well. It’s another game to face, a new challenge.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7845178##The game in west London tonight will be a showcase of two top attackers because Guardiola is finally able to field his star striker Erling Haaland, who has recovered from his foot injury. After being sidelined for two months, the Norwegian made a comeback as a substitute during the week’s match against Burnley and could start his first game since his recovery. And it goes without saying that putting three more points on the board would strengthen City’s title charge following Liverpool’s loss on Sunday.Manuel Akanji has recovered from his knee injury and is now fit to play, which means City will have a squad that is at full strength. For Thomas Frank’s team, Sergio Reguilon is available after being unable to play against parent club Tottenham in midweek. Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Kevin Schade, and Bryan Mbeumo remain injured.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 23SaturdayEverton – Tottenham 2-2 (1-2)/Harrison 30, Branthwaite 90+4 – Richarlison 4, 41/Brighton – Crystal Palace 4-1 (3-0)/Dunk 3, Hinshelwood 33, Buonanotte 34, Joao Pedro 85 – Mateta 71/Burnley – Fulham 2-2 (0-2)/Fofana 71, 90+1 – Palhinha 17, Muniz 21/Newcastle – Luton 4-4 (1-1)/Longstaff 7, 23, Trippier 67, Barnes 73 – Osho 21, Barkley 40, Morris 59 pen, Adebayo 62/Sheffield Utd – Aston Villa 0-5 (0-4)/McGinn 12, Watkins 16, Bailey 20, Tielemans 30, Moreno 47/SundayChelsea – Wolverhampton 2-4 (1-2)/Palmer 19 – Cunha 22, 63, 82 (p), Disasi (og) 43/Bournemouth – Nott.Forest 1-1 (1-1)/Kluivert 5 – Hudson-Odoi 45/Man. Utd. – West Ham 3-0 (1-0)/Hojlund 23, Garnacho 49, 84/Arsenal – Liverpool 3-1 (1-1)/Saka 14, Martinelli 67, Trossard 90+2 – Diaz 45+3/Monday23:00: (7.75) Brentford (5.10) Man.City (1.37)***odds are subject to change***
