"I don't have any complaints," said Pep Guardiola. "The solidarity they have, an exceptional team, I have a lot of admiration for Thomas Frank, the vibes that he's getting." Ethan Pinnock's winning goal was late-arriving - some way to celebrate a new contract - the ball nodded into his path by Bryan Mbuemo after Kevin Schade's cross. It came long after jeopardy had already been removed, Brentford relying on Aston Villa and Tottenham slipping to seize the outside chance of crowning the finest season in the club's modern history with a place in the Europa Conference League.
Dancing in foreign plazas was denied to travelling Bees but perhaps that's for the best. West Ham have reached the final of the competition but with a deleterious effect on Premier League form. A club of lesser resources such as Brentford are likely to have struggled further.
"It's special," said Frank, ninth place, 59 points achieved on the division's second-lowest budget.
"No matter what City players are out there, it's top, top players." Guardiola's selection had been a combination of protectionist and experimental, seven changes from the midweek draw with Brighton.
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