Manchester City momentarily moved to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday as they eased to a 4-0 victory at Fulham to put the pressure on Arsenal in the title race.
City’s win also ended Liverpool’s chances of winning the title, as Pep Guardiola’s side moved on to 85 points, two clear of Arsenal who play at Manchester United on Sunday.
Josko Gvardiol continued his incredible goalscoring form in recent weeks as he scored early and late, with Phil Foden grabbing the crucial second goal just before the hour mark. Julian Alvarez then scored a stoppage time penalty kick (Issa Diop was sent off for a second yellow as he gave away the penalty) to seal the 4-0 win.
Fulham have one win from their last eight games and remain on 44 points as Marco Silva’s side were never really in the game. City are now two wins away from the title as they head to Tottenham on Tuesday. If Arsenal fail to win at Manchester United on Sunday, City will win a fourth-straight title with a win at Tottenham.
Gvardiol’s late-season surge sums up Guardiola’s brilliance
When Josko Gvardiol signed for Manchester City from RB Leipzig last summer for close to $100 million, one of the meanest defensive units in Europe gained one of the best young defenders. But it has taken Gvardiol, 22, time to settle in at City and now we are seeing why Pep Guardiola is such a brilliant coach who can take even the top young talents on the planets to new levels. Gvardiol is playing as a left back in a fluid defensive system which actually encourages him to drift inside and play more as a wing-back and push forward. That is not an easy thing to do for a player who was largely seen as a physical, traditional center back. Not anymore. Gvardiol has scored five goals in his last seven games for City, including two in the rout at Fulham, and the way he’s remained patient this season is a testament to his mentality. He has improved on the ball, his timing of runs and is still solid defensively. It has taken so many City players almost a full season to grasp what Guardiola wants for them when they arrive at the club, as he challenges them to do things that don’t come naturally, then tells them to use their strengths as it all comes together perfectly as part of this wonderfully crafted Man City machine. Gvardiol is a perfect example of a player that Guardiola has improved over this season and who is providing something totally different to what was expected from him. That is why Pep Guardiola is, and will continue to be, the best coach of players on an individual basis in the world. He of course is one of the best managers in history overall but if you look at the way he’s improved Rodri, John Stones, Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva in this City side and redefined their roles, there’s no doubting his genius to see things other managers could never spot.
Fulham vs Manchester City player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Gvardiol had a great game with two goals and he was excellent up and down the flank from left back. Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden and Rodri were excellent as their experienced kicked in and Fulham only had one chance the entire game as City’s defensive unit swarmed all over the Cottagers.
What’s next?
Fulham head to Luton on the final day. City travel to Tottenham on Tuesday, May 14 then host West Ham on the final day.
How to watch Fulham vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 7:30am ET Saturday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch live online via NBC.com
Fuham vs Manchester City score: 0-4
Gvardiol 13', 71', Foden 59', Alvarez 97'
Fulham vs Manchester City live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Fulham 0-4 Manchester City
A walk in the park down by the River Thames for City. That was so easy for them as their big players dominated and Gvardiol the goal machine came up big. City are two wins from the title.
Diop fouls Alvarez in the box and is shown a second yellow; Alvarez then slots home the spot kick - Fulham 0-4 Manchester City (97th minute)
Issa Diop catches Alvarez in the box as he lunges in. Diop is shown a second yellow card and is sent off. Alvarez picks himself up and slots home the spot kick. Some were asking for Gvardiol to take the penalty to score a hat trick but Alvarez scored with minimum fuss.
Gvardiol again! - Fulham 0-3 Manchester City (71st minute)
Make that two goals for Josko Gvardiol today and five goals in his last seven games for City, as the Croatian defender flicks home superbly. A corner is played to Silva on the edge of the box and his cross is perfect to the back post. Akanji, who was just onside, couldn’t get a touch to it but Gvardiol came in at the back stick and somehow directed an effort on goal which squirmed past Bernd Leno and in. City cruising in the sunshine as their fans are doing their Poznan in the away end.
Haaland skies a great chance
Erling Haaland is played in superbly by Kevin de Bruyne (*pretends to be shocked*) and is clean through but skies his effort way over. Nobody can quite believe that finish. That was the chance to wrap up the win for City.
Foden gets the crucial second goal - Fulham 0-2 Manchester City (59th minute)
The local lad comes up with a big moment once again. Silva did superbly to get past Robinson and then a great tackle flew in to stop him on the edge of the box. But Foden was the first to react and steered a shot home in to the far corner. Cue wild celebrations in the away end as Noel Gallagher and his family and friends are in the thick of it and loving life.
Chance for Fulham as Ederson denies Muniz
Traore is making a difference down the right and his cross finds Muniz. A cheeky flick from the Brazilian is saved, at the second attempt, by Ederson. Decent chance for the hosts who have just reminded City they’re still in this.
Leno denies Silva
Haaland finds De Bruyne and he plays in Bernardo Silva who tries to squeeze home a shot at the near post but Leno gets down low to save well. City should really be 2-0 up.
Fulham bring on Cairney and Traore at half time
Double switch from Marco Silva at half time as Tom Cairney and Adama Traore are on for Willian and Bobby Decordova-Reid at half time. Traore has caused Man City plenty of problems in the past...
Half time: Fulham 0-1 Manchester City
After a slow start City cranked through the gears and a wonderful move which saw Gvardiol finish smartly is the difference. City should have scored a couple more so Fulham will be very happy with this scoreline. Pep Guardiola is happy enough as he walks off at half time but he clearly wanted a second before the break to avoid a nervous end to this game. As it stands, City are going back to the top of the Premier League table...
De Bruyne pulls the strings as Silva, Akanji go close
Kevin de Bruyne with a lovely run and that allows Foden to have an effort, then the ball drops to Bernardo Silva and his shot deflects over for a corner. From the corner a wonderful ball to the back post from De Bruyne finds Manuel Akanji but he volleys over just a few yards out. Why didn’t Akanji just head it in!? Magic from KDB.
Gvardiol is causing chaos down the left; Foden denied
The marauding Croatian defender is now played in after making a fine run behind Fulham’s defense. This time he picks out De Bruyne with his cross and he plays it to Bernardo Silva but his shot is tame and straight at Leno. Moments later Phil Foden wriggles free but he smashes a shot on goal which Leno saves. City are in full flow now.
Nathan Ake is off with an injury
Ake hurt himself clearing a cross and he can’t continue. That is a real shame. Kyle Walker comes on for Ake with Akanji shifting to center back.
City score a wonderful team goal as Josko Gvardiol slots home - Fulham 0-1 Manchester City (13th minute)
1-0 to Manchester City and that is a beautiful goal. Josko Gvardiol glides forward from left back and plays a give-and-go with Kevin de Bruyne. The Croatian defender then takes a touch and slots home calmly. Gvardiol has now scored 4 goals in his last 7 games for Man City and there were 19 passes before he scored. Sumptuous stuff in the sun in west London. That will ease any City nerves as they had started slowly.
Fulham are having a real go here
Fulham are sat in a deep defensive line but are eager to go long when they win it back and Andreas Pereira wins a corner early on after Akanji was caught high up the pitch. Fulham aren’t just looking to frustrate Pep Guardiola’s side. The sun is beating down at Craven Cottage and this should be a sizzling game. Arsenal fans everywhere are hoping for a shock Fulham win...
The lineups are in on a beautiful day at Craven Cottage
Man City have gone for Dias and Ake at center back with Gvardiol at left back. But with Pep you never quite know and perhaps Akanji will push forward and play the John Stones role in holding midfield? De Bruyne, Foden and Silva will support Haaland in attack. As for Fulham, well, they’ve gone all-out attack with Reid, Pereira, Willian and Muniz all starting. That suggests this will be an open, entertaining game as the Cottagers can play with no fear.
Fulham lineup
Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Iwobi, Palhinha; Reid, Pereira, Willian; Muniz
Manchester City lineup
Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Silva, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland
Fulham focus, team news
QUESTIONABLE: Harrison Reed (other)
Manchester City focus, team news
No known injuries or absences.
