Phil Foden, who was the hat-trick hero when the sides met at Gtech Community Stadium last season, struck twice in the second half to put Pep Guardiola's side on course for a fourth straight win in all competitions.

The England midfielder broke the deadlock when he volleyed in Kevin De Bruyne's cross shortly after Mikkel Damsgaard was denied by the offside flag, before doubling the lead from close range in the 78th minute.

However, the hosts refused to lie down and Yoane Wissa, who was denied by Nathan Ake on the line earlier on, pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute to set up a grandstand finish.

Then, in the second minute of stoppage-time, Christian Norgaard headed in Keane Lewis-Potter's cross to snatch a share of the spoils for Thomas Frank's side.

Things nearly got even better for the Bees in the dying moments with Ake forced to head clear Bryan Mbeumo's effort.

City is sixth on the table, having failed to capitalise on Newcastle United not playing until Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Brentford moved up to 10th after averting a fourth successive home defeat across all competitions.

City have now dropped 14 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, their most in a single campaign under Guardiola.

Foden conceded Manchester City did not cope with Brentford's physical approach.

"We just looked tired at the end, the last 20, 30 minutes," Foden said. "We looked leggy, and they put the pressure on and put longer balls into the box.

"We didn't cope with the physicality at the end. It's one of the toughest places to come, and they give you different challenges.

"I was happy with the performance up until we went 1-0 up and then, after that, we let our performance slip and gave the ball away. It's something to learn from."

Nevertheless, the England midfielder, who has now scored seven goals in as many appearances against Brentford, believes the Citizens are turning a corner after their disappointing recent spell of form.

"It's definitely picked up from previously and performances are a lot better than they were," he added.

"We've still got steps to go to where we want to be, but as long as we keep making them small steps and improving, that's what we're aiming to do."

Bees boss Frank was full of praise for his players after they pushed the reigning Premier League champion all the way.

"I just said to the players in there that I was extremely happy and proud of the performance," he said.

"I think this is the first time in four years that, over the 90 minutes, we went toe-to-toe with a top-three club. I think Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have been the three best clubs in the four years we have been in the Premier League.

"The ability and the mindset to do that, the bravery throughout the game, [I'm] extremely proud of that and, of course, coming back from 2-0 down is a fantastic mentality."

Guardiola, who was missing injured trio Ruben Dias, John Stones and Rodri, believed that their absence was pivotal in his side's collapse in the closing stages of the contest.

"With the absence of the central defenders, Rodri, with many things, we are not [at our best] and we didn't take the right decisions.

"We have another type of player right now, and at the end, we could not defend that situation.

"They put six, seven players in the box, crosses, and sometimes they are better, so there are more players, they are taller, they are stronger in [heading].

"It's fine, it's not a good place to go. Unfortunately, we couldn't win."

Guardiola was also able to detail the conversation he had with Stefan Ortega following the conclusion of the game.

The Spaniard was seen extremely animated when engaging in conversation with his goalkeeper, who got a strong hand on Norgaard's late leveller.

"I said how good he played in actions with the ball, how good his pass (was) to Erling (Haaland), how happy and satisfied I am," Guardiola explained.

Despite his positive words about Ortega, Guardiola expressed his disappointment after throwing away more valuable points in their quest to finish in the top four.

"We're a bit disappointed but at 2-0 up we didn't manage to hold on to the lead, and unfortunately we couldn't close the game," Guardiola said.

"Today we didn't take the right decisions in the final third. I had the feeling that we didn't take the right decisions in the final third to close the game."

City's next Premier League clash sees it travel to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town, which is in action against Brighton and Hove Albion on Friday (AEDT).