Pep Guardiola wasn’t looking when Ivan Toney found loophole for Brentford goal against Man City

Ivan Toney and Neal Maupay exploited a huge footballing loophole to give Brentford a shock lead over Manchester City.

The Bees took a surprise lead against the current world champions at the Gtech Community Stadium when Mark Flekken was stood over a goal kick for the hosts.

Fans who watch the Premier League are well-versed in the laws of the game, but few are aware of a lesser-known rule that states that a player can't be offside from a goal kick.

Spotting the opportunity, Flekken thumped his goal-kick long and in the direction of Toney who started the move in an offside position.

Darting back towards Man City's defensive line, Toney blocked Nathan Ake from getting to the ball, but didn't touch it as the ball bounced beyond the back line.

Knowing the lesser-known rule, Toney was able to somewhat interfere with play without repercussion, allowing Neal Maupay to charge in-behind and slot the ball past Ederson in the Man City goal.

As well as Maupay's effort being his third in his last three Premier League games for Brentford, it meant that Flekken became the first goalkeeper to register an assist in the top flight this season.

It caught the City defence unawares while replays show that manager Pep Guardiola didn't even see how his side fell behind as he was looking back at his coaching staff when Flekken pumped the ball long.

As you'd expect, fans on social media loved the loophole that was exploited by Toney and his Brentford teammates.

One fan wrote: "Brentford humbling the noisy VAR club."

Another supporter commented: "That's quality from Ivan Toney, what a clever run from Maupay as well."

Meanwhile a third fans summed up the feeling of many, saying: "Honestly I was today years old when I found out there are no offsides for goal kicks."

A fourth fan wrote: "Ivan Toney does understand the fine prints of football rules. My word!"

It's not the first time that Toney has found a hack to succeed in recent weeks after rolling the ball to the side and moving the referee's foam marker in the clash with Nottingham Forest last month.

That allowed Toney to squeeze a free-kick beyond the goalkeeper on his first match back after his eight-month ban and enhance Brentford's reputation as one of football's most lovable s***houses.

Unfortunately, the Bees' efforts were cancelled out just before half-time when Phil Foden levelled the game.