- Josko Gvardiol scored the first goal of his career as Man City defeated Fulham
- Pep Guardiola’s side are now two points ahead of Arsenal at the top of the table
- Potential replacement for Erik ten Hag must beware of ‘micromanager’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe – Listen to the It all starts! podcast
Fulham 0-4 Manchester City: Manchester City moved two points ahead of title rivals Arsenal with a comfortable win over Fulham.
Pep Guardiola’s side traveled to west London with an excellent record against the Cottagers and wasted little time in taking control on Saturday.
Despite needing more than thirty appearances to score his first goal for the club since arriving in the summer, Josko Gvardiol has enjoyed something of a hot streak in front of goal of late.
After cutting in from the flank, the summer signing played a deft one-two with Kevin De Bruyne, passed Issa Diop and scored a finish into the bottom corner to put the visitors ahead after 13 minutes.
After taking the lead, City continued to dominate for the first 45 minutes but were unable to extend their lead. Bernardo Silva came closest, as his attack was well held by Bernd Leno.
Josko Gvardiol scored twice as Manchester City comfortably saw off Fulham and regained the initiative in the title race
Pep Guardiola’s side are now two points ahead of Arsenal with just two games remaining
Gvardiol fired the visitors ahead with a well-taken shot in the 13th minute at Craven Cottage
Phil Foden doubled the lead after half-time to take his season’s tally to 17 in the league
Marco Silva was seen fuming on the touchline at his side’s inactivity in the first half, and the Portuguese manager made a few changes at half-time.
The introduction of Adama Traore appeared to revive Fulham after the restart, but their momentum would soon be halted after Phil Foden continued his excellent form of late to double their lead, much to the delight of a traveling contingent including Noel Gallagher .
Despite having a comfortable lead, City continued to push for more as they looked to continue reducing Arsenal’s advantage in goal difference.
Once again it was Gvardiol who found himself in the right place at the right time, with the 22-year-old getting on the end of Silva’s swinging cross to mark the first brace of his senior career.
There was further drama in the closing stages when Issa Diop was shown a second yellow card for taking down Julian Alvarez in the injury break.
City superfan Noel Gallagher watched from the stands as his favored side moved to the top of the table
Josko Gvardiol added a third for the visitors to mark the first pairing of his senior career
Julian Alvarez then completed the defeat by converting a penalty in injury time
Gvardiol had the opportunity to become the first defender ever to score a hat-trick in the Premier League, but instead allowed Alvarez to take the subsequent penalty, only for the Argentine to convert to put an emphatic end to a clinical performance.
With the club now two points ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool officially out of the title race, the ball is well in City’s court as they look for a historic fourth consecutive league title with two games to go.
