Phil Foden thinks that the Premier League title race will be closely contested until the end of this season.
The English midfielder achieved a hat-trick in Manchester City's 3-1 triumph against Brentford on Monday night.
This victory, which could prove to be pivotal, propelled City past Arsenal into second place, trailing leaders Liverpool by two points but with a game in hand.
“It’s going to be tight one. Liverpool and Arsenal are two top teams doing really well,” said Foden.
“They are going to push us until the end so we have to try and not drop points and try to win all of our games really.”
The city lagged behind unexpectedly as Neal Maupay propelled Brentford into the lead. However, Foden eventually overcame the inspired Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken to equalize before the interval.
The 23-year-old headed them in front early in the second half from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross, and then completed a stylish treble to ensure City’s title destiny is firmly in their own hands.
The treble winners were behind in recent away matches against Everton and Newcastle, but Foden says they are starting to demonstrate their resilience by recovering to win on both occasions.
“Resilience. We keep proving it season after season,” he told the club website.
“We keep surprising everyone by keeping our standards high and it’s down to the manager and this fantastic group of players.
“It’s the togetherness, when things aren’t going right, to bounce back.”
Nerves are beginning to fray at Brentford, who have suffered defeats in seven of their last eight matches and currently sit just three points above the relegation zone.
The upcoming fixture list doesn't provide much relief, with matches against City, Liverpool, and Arsenal all scheduled in the coming weeks.
However, manager Thomas Frank is not looking beyond the immediate future and is focused on Saturday's visit to Wolves.
“I’m always looking just one game ahead; that’s where our maximum focus is,” he said.
“It’s the same top focus on the next game. Every game we will have a very good chance to win it and that will be the same on Saturday.”
