Manchester City vs Brentford player ratings: Cancelo 10, Mahrez 8; Ajer 7, Jensen 6

Mahrez and De Bruyne on target as Man City open up 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League

MAN CITY RATINGS: Ederson, 8 - A few routine stops from the Brazilian who wasn’t really troubled, apart from a brave collection at the feet of Canos for which he was rewarded with an accidental whack in the head from the Brentford man. AP Photo

John Stones, 7 - Invited trouble when his pocket was picked by Henry, but City escaped in one piece. Showed more conviction after the break when he drove into midfield and found Sterling, and he later did well to match Mbeumo stride for stride as Brentford hunted a leveller. Getty Images

Ruben Dias, 6 - Knocked the ball down intelligently for Laporte in the Brentford box, but a groan of discontent rumbled around the Etihad at the other end when the Portugal man stuck the ball behind for a corner when Ederson seemed to be in control. PA

Aymeric Laporte, 7 - Things might have been even more comfortable for City, but the defender’s controlled side-footed effort skimmed the wrong side of the post. A decent display despite one risky moment late on. PA

Joao Cancelo, 10 - Unplayable. Fired a zinger inches wide and showed sensational feet to wriggle past three challenges before hooking his effort at Raya. Went close to capping a stunning move when he fired just over again. Secured a clean sheet for good measure. PA

Kevin De Bruyne, 8 - Covered every blade of grass and showed admirable workrate to charge back and pinch possession from Mbeumo. Hammered into an empty net after a Raya mistake. PA

Rodri, 8 - Proved he’s much more than a ball-winner when he sprayed a sublime pass out to Mahrez as City looked to move up a gear. Tested Raya after the break with a low drive from distance. Reuters

Bernardo Silva, 7 - A typically industrious display from the hardworking midfielder who was constantly scampering around in search of pockets of space. Not his most electric display, but still a competent one. Reuters

Riyad Mahrez, 8 - Asked plenty of questions on the right-hand side but Brentford were organised and continued to find the answers. Finally broke the Bees’ resistance from the spot. Reuters

Phil Foden, 6 - Issued an early warning when his flicked header dropped just wide of the post but he was relatively quiet by his standards and he was replaced for the final 18 minutes. Reuters

Raheem Sterling, 7 - Uses his body so well. Kept chipping away and showed excellent strength to hold off Ajer. Opted for the spectacular when his overhead kick flew over the bar, but won the spot-kick when he was bundled over by Roerslev. Getty Images

SUB: Ilkay Gundogan (on for Foden, ‘71), NR - A Premier League return for the classy midfielder who sat out City’s 1-1 draw with Southampton. Reuters

SUB: Jack Grealish (on for Mahrez, ‘67), 6 - Flashed a ball across the face of goal as City hunted a third. PA

BRENTFORD RATINGS: David Raya, 6 - Tried to be too deft when his chipped pass ended up at the feet of Foden with the offside flag the Spaniard’s saviour. He produced a big hand to scoop a perilous cross away from Sterling, but failed to learn his lesson as he presented De Bruyne with a gift. PA

Kristoffer Ajer, 7 - Made some important challenges. Did well to spot the danger and poke Cancelo’s pass behind with Silva lurking before cutting out another delivery, this time from the latter with De Bruyne the target. EPA

Pontus Jansson, 6 - On hand to hammer away Sterling’s cross to safety with 10 minutes on the clock. Completely flattened Phil Foden in perhaps the least equal aerial duel you’ll ever see, which led to Laporte going close from the resulting free-kick. PA

Ethan Pinnock, 6 - A giant at the heart of a robust back three. Created the chance for a counter-attack when he headed away a City corner, although he had to endure a nervy moment when the ball bobbled through his legs in the Bees’ box. AP Photo

Mads Roerslev, 5 - Took Sterling’s bait hook, line and sinker when he dived in unnecessarily when the tricky forward heading down a blind alley. It was a naive challenge from the 22-year-old and completely undid his side’s hard work. AFP

Frank Onyeka, 7 - Saw his looping header claimed by Ederson in the first half. Continued to get himself in the right areas, but his effort on the turn was lacking in power and straight at Ederson. EPA

Brentford's Christian Norgaard, left, is challenged by Manchester City's Jack Grealish duriChristian Norgaard, 5 - Quiet. He had little influence as City completely dictated possession, but in fairness he was up against it in De Bruyne, Rodri, Silva and a formidable Cancelo who was absolutely everywhere. AP

Mathias Jensen, 6 - Tested Ederson with a thumping effort before the offside flag went up belatedly to ease his disappointment. It was a reminder to City that they were in a game though. Getty Images

Rico Henry, 7 - Did well to turn Cancelo’s dangerous cross safely behind for a corner just shy of the quarter-hour mark. Caused problems when he delivered an inviting low cross towards Canos which saw Ederson take a bang to the head. PA

Sergi Canos, 6 - Had the right ideas but the execution evaded him. Burst away down the left flank at frightening speed after good play from Ghoddos, but his return pass was poor. Getty Images

Saman Ghoddos, 6 - Lively. Plucked one out of the air beautifully only to immediately slip over. Showed superb instincts to quickly set up the counter, pouncing on a loose ball and sweeping possession out to Canos on the left. Reuters

SUB: Yoane Wissa (on for Onyeka, ‘70), NR - Offered his side some rare second-half respite when his effort was deflected behind for a corner. Went close again in the closing stages but the flag went up. PA

SUB: Bryan Mbeumo (on for Canos, ‘63), 6 - A welcome return for Mbeumo, who wasted no time in dragging the City defence into a footrace as he looked to drive for goal. SUB: Josh Da Silva (on for Ghoddos ‘63), 6 - A first Premier League appearance for the 23-year-old who wasn’t even named in Thomas Frank’s initial 25.

Manchester City stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points as Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne netted in a routine 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday.

The English champions were dominant throughout without ever hitting top form as Brentford succumbed to a sixth straight defeat which could see the Bees dragged into a relegation battle.

Brentford had held out bravely for 40 minutes until a mistimed tackle from Mads Roerslev brought down Raheem Sterling and Mahrez coolly slotted away the penalty.

Until that point City had been guilty of not taking their chances as Sterling fired over on the volley from Phil Foden's perfect cross and Aymeric Laporte side-footed inches wide from Ruben Dias' knockdown.

The hosts never looked in danger of conceding as they registered a 14th clean sheet in 23 league games this season.

However, Pep Guardiola's celebrations when the second goal finally arrived 20 minutes from time told the story of nerves beginning to build around the Etihad that their dominance was not showing on the scoreboard.

Brentford's determination to play out from the back caught them out as David Raya passed straight to Sterling.

The Spanish goalkeeper redeemed himself by saving a one-on-one with the England international, but the ball fell kindly for De Bruyne to roll in his eighth goal of the season.

Christian Eriksen was not among the Brentford squad as he edges slowly towards a return to football after suffering a cardiac arrest just eight months ago at Euro 2020.

But they may need some inspiration from the Dane to survive their first season in the English top flight for 74 years.

A bright start means Thomas Frank's men still have a six-point cushion over the bottom three, but they are the fading force and all the sides below them in the table have games in hand.

City have no such worries as they close in on a fourth title in the past five years.