Pep Guardiola wasn't looking when Ivan Toney found an opening for Brentford's goal against Manchester City
Ivan Toney and Neal Maupay took advantage of a huge football void to give Brentford a surprising lead over Manchester City.
The Bees took a surprise lead against the reigning world champions at the Gtech Community Stadium when Mark Flekken was stopped during a goal kick for the hosts.
Fans who watch the Premier League are well aware of the rules of the game, but few are aware of a lesser-known rule that states that a player cannot be offside on a goal kick.
Seeing the opportunity, Flekken launched his goal kick long and in the direction of Toney, who initiated the play in an offside position.
Running towards the Man City defensive line, Toney prevented Nathan Ake from reaching the ball, but did not touch him as the ball bounced beyond the byline.
Knowing the lesser-known rule, Toney was able to interfere a little with the game without repercussions, allowing him Neal Maupay to charge in behind and pass the ball past Ederson in the Man City goal.
In addition to Maupay's effort being the third in his last three Premier League games for BrentfordFlekken became the first goalkeeper to provide an assist in the top flight this season.
It caught City's defense by surprise, while replays show manager Pep Guardiola didn't even see his team fall behind as he looked at his coaching staff when Flekken pumped in the long ball.
Unsurprisingly, fans on social media loved the loophole Toney and his Brentford teammates exploited.
One fan wrote: “Brentford humiliates rowdy VAR club.”
2
Another follower commented: “That's the quality of Ivan ToneyWhat a smart move by Maupay too.”
Meanwhile, a third fan summed up the sentiment of many by saying: “Honestly, I was years old today when I discovered that there is no offside on goal kicks.”
A fourth fan wrote: “Ivan Toney understands the fine print of football rules. My word!”
It is not the first time Toney has found a trick to success in recent weeks after rolling the ball to the side and moving the referee's foam marker in the clash against Nottingham Forest last month.
That allowed Toney to score a free-kick past the goalkeeper in his first game back from his eight-month suspension and enhance Brentford's reputation as one of football's most lovable shithouses.
Unfortunately, the Bees' efforts were canceled out just before half-time when Phil Foden tied the game.
Foden beat Flekken with a tough finish in the half in which the Dutch goalkeeper made NINE saves, something never before achieved by a Premier League goalkeeper this season.
