An ever-reliable Manchester City defender played a crucial role in City’s win over Brentford

Nathan Ake was a rock at the back yesterday. He was rarely flustered by the physical threat that Igor Thiago offered. Ake won his physical and aerial duels and it also appeared that his calmness rubbed off on his teammates. At no point yesterday did Ake look like a player who hasn’t been a first team regular this season. He brought experience to the Manchester City defence and Ake’s performance, while it won’t create headlines, was everything that Manchester City needed from him yesterday.

Nathan Ake has always been ready and willing to step when Manchester City has needed him.

Ever since Nathan Ake signed for Manchester City from Bournemouth, he has been ever-reliable for Pep Guardiola. Ake has rarely let his team down, whether he’s played at left-back, centre-back, or been used as a squad player. This speaks to Ake’s professionalism and dedication to the cause at City. Yesterday’s performance against Brentford from Ake perfectly encapsulated this, and it was an integral contribution to Manchester City’s important win.

Nathan Ake played an important role for Manchester City as they picked a huge three points which could be crucial in this season’s title race. Ake stepped up in Abdukodir Khusanov’s absence as he again did exactly what his team needed in a pivotal Premier League fixture.