Fulham 0-4 Man City - Premier League RECAP (2024)

This moment felt inevitable.

Manchester City have been chasing, and chasing, but now they are finally back at the summit of the Premier League with just two games to go.

City very quickly put an end to Arsenal's hopes of a slip-up as Josko Gvardiol fired them ahead after 13 minutes.

From then on, they were dominant. Three more goals came in the second half and the performance was perfect.

You feel if they go to Tottenham in midweek and win, an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title is theirs.

Before then, Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in an attempt to reclaim top spot tomorrow and put the pressure back on City.

Right, it's time for me to head off. Thank you as always for joining us at Mail Sport, and make sure you jump over to our 3pm live blog.

Adios!

The first word that comes to mind is, commanding.

Manchester City ran rampant today, they dictated the game from 10 minutes in to the very end.

Just look at the statistics. Nine shots on target, 64% possession (thought it would be more), and 698 completed passes.

Fulham only managed one shot all match, that just shows how poor they were today.

Not good reading if you're an Arsenal fan...

Will this man ever lose in a Manchester City shirt again?

Rodri has now gone 48 consecutive Premier League matches without tasting defeat, it's truly incredible.

He is a rock at the heart of the City midfield, the best in the world at what he does.

He never, ever, drops a stinker...

More from Josko Gvardiol, Manchester City goalscorer, speaking to TNT Sports:

Marco Silva must hate the days when he has to come up against Pep Guardiola, he never comes out on top.

Guardiola has won all 13 of his games against Silva, his best 100% record against an opposition manager in his career.

Guardiola’s sides have scored 44 goals across the 13 matches, while only conceding eight times in return.

Totally dominant.

Who would have thought it, Josko Gvardiol is on fire in front of goal.

He didn't score in any of his first 32 appearances for Manchester City, but now Gvardiol just can't stop.

The Croatian defender has netted five goals in his last seven games for the club.

Late charge for the Golden Boot?

Josko Gvardiol, Manchester City goalscorer, speaking to TNT Sports:

Job done by Manchester City!

The City train is at full speed, and they are not stopping. Pep Guardiola's side dispatch Fulham with relative ease.

Four goals and a clean sheet send City top of the table for at least a day, and it's looking ominous for Arsenal now.

Fulham had no answer, even Josko Gvardiol got a brace, but he turned down the chance for a hat-trick at the very end, giving the penalty to Julian Alvarez.

It's hard to see City stopping their fine form now, they are on a roll!

Wait, Josko Gvardiol has decided not to take it...

Julian Alvarez steps up instead and fires it into the bottom corner, sending Bernd Leno the wrong way.

The celebrations start once again in the away end, another incredible day for them away at Craven Cottage.

Fulham's day just gets even worse.

Issa Diop hacks down Julian Alvarez and Manchester City have a penalty. Not only that but Diop is shown a second yellow card.

It's the perfect chance for Josko Gvardiol to get a hat-trick!

The Manchester City end looks like so much fun.

Ever since the second goal, the City fans have not stopped singing in the London sunshine.

They are having a great time.

Ouch, that's a harsh number for Fulham, they have to endure seven more minutes of this torture.

Just as I am typing this Josko Gvardiol pings a gorgeous ball across the pitch to Rico Lewis, he is on fire.

Now Rico Lewis has been left in a heap on the floor.

Antonee Robinso comes steaming into him, and Anthony Taylor has no choice but to show him a yellow card.

Now the youngsters are at it, they want to join in the fun.

Rico Lewis tries to feed Oscar Bobb, and he looks set to score, but Joao Palhinha gets his body in the way to deny him.

It would have been a lovely goal.

Pep Guardiola grimaces as Jeremy Doku is down and hurt.

He took a hefty hit from Joao Palhinha there, so I am not surprised he is in pain.

After a bit of treatment, though, he is ok to continue.

This match is petering out now.

Manchester City are stroking it around with gusto, Fulham can't get near them. It's been a tough day for the hosts.

I still think there is another here for City.

Phil Foden is serenaded as he makes way for Oscar Bobb, he has put on yet another masterclass here in west London.

Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic also make way with Julian Alvarez and Rico Lewis replacing them.

Martin Keown, Premier League winner with Arsenal, on TalkSport:

Pep Guardiola has decided to make a change.

Kevin De Bruyne is off, another great performance from the Belgian superstar.

Jeremy Doku comes on for him.

Noel Gallagher has just made me laugh!

The camera pans to the Manchester City away end as they celebrate with their distinctive Poznan move.

However, you can see that Gallagher is not interested in it, he just stands facing the action.

It's brilliant.

Josko Gvardiol cant stop scoring!

I said it could be any number, and within a minute Manchester City get their third.

It's another lovely finish from Gvardiol who latches onto Bernanrdo Silva's cross to tap into the back of the net at the back post.

After a VAR check for offside, the goal is given.

City are heading top!

This could be any number at this rate.

Manchester City are in full flow, and so is Kevin De Bruyne after his earlier poor problems.

He dances into the box before seeing his cross cleared.

Wow, what a tackle from Joao Palhinha!

Kevin De Buryne is away, he drives into the box and looks set to pull the trigger, but somehow Palhinha wraps his legs around the midfielder to get the ball.

Palahinha loves a tackle, and that is one of the best I have seen him produce.

The ball does go to Erling Haaland, but he fires it off De Bruyne's back and over.

Marco Silva has decided to make a change.

Rodrigo Muinz has had a quiet day by his standards, and he is coming off.

Chelsea loanee, Armando Broja, who is yet to score for Fulham, replaces him.

The Manchester City away end has come alive.

It had been quiet leading up to that goal, but they are now having the time of their lives once again.

Noel Gallagher is in there somewhere, I'm sure he is joining in with all the singing.

Oh my word, that is extremely poor from Erling Haaland.

The Norweigan striker has to make it 3-0. You expect him to score as he is through on goal, but he fires it high and wide.

That is not like him, at all. I was about to type 'goal'...

The Football Writers' Player of the Year is at it again!

Phil Foden just can't stop scoring and he has surely put this game to bed.

Joao Palhinha makes a fantastic tackle on the edge of the area, but the ball rolls into Foden's path, and he drives it into the bottom left-hand corner.

The City away end goes bonkers!

This game has awoken from its slumber.

Adama Traore gets involved once again, driving into the area, and he plays in a low cross to Rodrigo Muniz, but his cute flick isn't strong enough to get past Ederson. Fulham's best chance of the match.

Manchester City then respond with a chance of their own, but Bernd Leno is up to the challenge to deny Kevin De Bruyne.

A couple of refereeing decisions have brought this crowd to life.

After one going Fulham's way, which brought a cheer, Anthony Taylor then blows for a foul against them and the fans are not happy.

It was definitely a foul on Erling Haaland from Issa Diop, I don't know why they're moaning.

Normal service resumed for Man City.

After a dull few minutes, City go forward with intent once again as Bernardo Silva forces a strong save from Bernd Leno at his near post.

Kevin De Bruyne then once again puts the ball out of play, this time straight from a corner. It's a stinker.

That is why Adama Traore is on.

The winger is sent on his way and immediately the Fulham fans get excited.

he drives to the Byline and attempts a cross, but the end result is poor and goes out of play.

That is so much better from the hosts.

Kevin De Bruyne, is that really you?

The Belgian midfielder uncharacteristically passes the ball out of play, it wasn't a hard pass either.

I can't remember the last time I saw him do that.

Craven Cottage is as flat as a pancake.

You'd be mistaken for thinking this is a Sunday league game if you are only listening, it's so quiet you can hear the players shouting...

Fulham need to give them something to cheer about for it to change.

Well, there is our answer, Marco Silva is making two changes.

Tom Cairney is the first, he comes on for Willian who really struggled in that first half.

Adama Traore is the other, and City know what problems he can cause, they've come across them before when he was at Wolves.

Anyway, we are now back underway.

A penny for Marco Silva's thoughts...

He was very animated in that first half, and it's easy to understand why. His Fulham side have not been at it. They didn't even have a shot.

He is 45 minutes away from losing his 10th Premier League game in a row against Manchester City.

How can he change things at half-time?

Peter Crouch, former Liverpool striker, speaking about Manuel Akanji's miss TNT Sports:

Another game, another assist for Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian star has only featured in 16 Premier League games this season but somehow has nine assists.

Since returning from injury in January, he has been a machine.

I could watch this goal on repeat all day.

When Manchester City get the ball moving, they are a pleasure to watch.

It was a lovely finish by Josko Gvardiol, his fourth goal in seven games, not bad, eh?

But, in all honesty, this goal is all about the build-up. There were 19 passes in the lead-up to the net rippling.

Watch, and enjoy.

There goes the whistle, fulham will be relieved to hear it.

Other than the opening few minutes, the hosts have been run ragged by Manchester City.

The champions have been in full flow, it's been a pleasure to watch, and they opened the scoring through Josko Gvardiol after 13 minutes. It was a beautiful move that led to the finish.

City probably should have more, well, at least two. However, I'm sure they will be happy with how it's going.

Arsenal fans, I'm sure your hopes have been dashed, I can only see this getting worse for your title hopes.

Ally McCoist, TNT Sports commentator, is really enjoying this Manchester City display.

He is making all sorts of noises with every nice bit of play that goes by. He sounds like he is in heaven.

The latest noise came because of a lovely touch by Phil Foden.

The stoppage time has been allocated, and there will be three minutes.

Will we get another goal from Man City before the break?

How has he missed?

Manchester City should be two to the good, I can't believe that they aren't.

The ball is sent to the back post where Manuel Akanji is lurking, but instead of heading home from close range, he tries to use his foot and blazes over.

Odd decision.

Fulham are not helping themselves...

Manchester City are relentlessly pressing them, and it's working because Fulham keep giving the ball away.

They do it again and Kevin De Bruyne sends through Phil Foden, but he can't get a shot away in the area, so sends it to Bernardo Silva, but he shoots wide.

Pep Guardiola is not a happy bunny, for some reason.

I can't figure out why because his Manchester City team has been totally dominant in this game.

Once they get the second goal, it's game over.

Very good defedning from Issa Diop there.

Manchester City prove why Fulham have not wanted to attack them because as soon as they do, they launch a counter-attack.

Kevin De Bruyne is sent on his bike and you expect the net to ripple, but as he drives into the box, his bending effort is blocked well by Diop.

If he didn't get in the way, that's probably a goal.

Fulham finally have the ball, it feels like an age since they had it.

Antonee Robinson tries to get that joy back on the left-hand side, but his cross is cleared easily by Josko Gvardiol.

Much better from the hosts, though.

Rodri, what a footballer.

He dances around Antonee Robinson with ease before clipping in a lovely ball to the back post.

But, just as Erling Haaland prepares to leap, Fulham manage to clear. It was eerily similar to the second goal against Wolves last week.

Since Kyle Walker has come on, all of Fulham's joy down the left-hand side has completely gone.

His mere presence has frightened the life into Fulham.

Martin Keown, former Arsenal defender, has just said on TalkSport that he 'doesn't know why' Walker is never in the Premier League Player of the Year discussion.

I agree, he is consistently fantastic year after year. Without him, Manchester City are always weaker.

Fulham's early pressure has dissipated.

Manchester City are all over them now, just as I am typing this Phil Foden fires a decent effort into the hands of Bernd Leno.

It won't be long until there is a second.

Manchester City have total control of this game now.

Josko Gvardiol gets in behind once again and fires the ball into the box for Kevin De Bruyne.

He can't find space to shoot though, so shifts the ball to Bernardo Silva to do so. His shot is a comfortable one for Bernd Leno.

It's lovely football, though, it really is.

It doesn't look good for Nathan Ake, he has been struggling for the last few minutes with a muscle problem.

It seems like it's not something he can run off, and he is going to have to come off. Kyle Walker replaces him.

While the substitution is happening, Pep Guardiola gathers his players and gives them a passionate team talk.

He is very animated down there.

Phil Foden is rolling around on the ground holding his face.

Off the ball, Bobby De Cordova-Reid accidentally knocks Foden in the face as he tries to block his run.

I'm not sure it warranted the reaction it got from the England star.

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at Craven Cottage:

Calvin Bassey, what are you doing?

The Fulham defender gets in all sorts of bother and gives Bernd Leno a hospital pass.

Man City put them under pressure and win the ball back high up the pitch before Erling Haaland fires over.

Nearly catastrophic for Fulham.

What was I saying?

Manchester City suddenly turn on the style, and Josko Gvardiol fires them ahead after a stunning move.

The away side work it around beautifully before Gvardiol is sent through, and he slides the ball past Bernd Leno.

That was not the finish of a defender, a brilliant goal.

The Manchester City fans are having a lovely day out.

They are singing a very catchy tune about their treble to the tune of Amarillo by Tony Christie. I'm bobbing along to it.

It's the best thing to have come from City so far, the team on the pitch don't look at it, so far.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid, that is lovely.

The Fulham forward wins the ball in a tight area on the wing before a lovely spin frees up some space and he gets Fulham on their way again.

The hosts have started very brightly, City don't look themselves as of yet.

Surely, they aren't nervous, are they?

The Fulham fans get a bit excited as Rodrigo Muniz goes to close down Ederson in goal.

However, as ever, the Brazilian keeper is as coll as ice and manages to start off a move.

He is always so relaxed on the ball.

Fair play to both sets of fans, they are making a right good racket, so far.

Usually, the early kick-offs have a flat atmosphere, but not today, chants are being sung left, right, and centre.

I'm enjoying them!

The Fulham fans roar as Andreas Pereira runs in behind.

He is tracked down by Ruben Dias, who diverts his cross out of play and for a corner.

Nothing comes from the resulting set-piece, but it has been a bright start from the hosts.

Craven Cottage pays its respect to former Fulham player, Viv Busby, who sadly passed away this week, with a minute's of applause.

We are now underway, and the Fulham fans are in fine voice, and so are the away end.

A decent atmosphere for a 12.30pm kick-off.

Craven Cottage is looking beautiful.

Both sides arise from the tunnel into the glorious sunshine to some extremely motivational music.

Sadly, it gets ruined by the Premier League anthem, which is not very nice to listen to.

Oh well, I'll stop moaning anyway.

All these statistics I am sharing point one way, Manchester City's.

Here is another, Erling Haaland has scored nine goals in his 11 trips to London while assisting twice.

He loves the capital...

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City boss, speaking to TNT Sports:

Wow, what a stunning picture.

The anticipation for this one is coming to a climax because we are not far from kick-off now.

The two teams probably don't even need a warm-up, do they? The sun is enough, surely...

Ouch, another record could be broken today, and it's another not-so-good one.

Marco Silva must be sick to death of the sight of Manchester City, he has lost all nine Premier League matches against them.

If Fulham lose today, he will become the first manager ever to lose their first 10 fixtures in the top flight against a single opponent.

Not good viewing for Fulham fans, these statistics.

Peter Crouch, former Liverpool striker, speaking on TNT Sports:

Example, an award-winning English musician, who is also a Fulham fan, has just been speaking to TNT Sports about the match.

He doesn't sound confident, the singer-songwriter is just hopeful that his team 'don't lose by five goals'.

Do you all feel the same, Fulham fans?

Arsenal fans, you won't want to read this post...

The history of this fixture is extremely one-sided, Manchester City almost always come out on top.

Fulham haven't beaten City in their last 11 Premier League home games against them, stretching back to 2005.

City have also won their last 15 meetings with the west London side, and have scored in their last 31 games with them.

That is what you call dominant.

When I think of Joao Palhinha, I imagine a tough-tackling midfielder.

Well, the statistic I am about to share proves that.

Palhinha is just one yellow card away from equalling the record of most bookings in a single season of 14.

However, no player has ever hit that total in multiple seasons...

Not a record he will want to break today, but with the way City play I'm sure he will be crunching into challenges.

Fulham do not like the sight of Erling Haaland.

I'm sure the Norweigan feels quite the opposite, though, he loves a game against the Cottagers.

The Golden Boot leader has netted five times in his three games against the Londoners.

He is four goals clear at the top of the Premier League scoring charts, with 25 goals to his name, but he will want to further that lead today.

If I was Fulham, I would be worried...

Wow, what a line-up.

Manchester City are flexing their muscles, all the big boys are involved today.

Pep Guardiola makes just a single change, like Fulham, with Ruben Dias coming into the back four.

Kyle Walker drops out and takes a place on the bench.

Just the one change for Fulham.

It's an enforced one, as Sasa Lukic misses Fulham's final game of the season through injury.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid replaces him, and captains the side too.

London is looking particularly gorgeous today.

In the past week, the temperature has risen in the capital, it has been lovely. I love this time of year.

Let's hope that today's game matches the weather, and both sides serve us up some heat.

It's a stunning setting for the beautiful game to be played in.

Manchester City have been simply scintillating in 2024.

Pep Guardiola's side are 32 matches unbeaten since December, excluding penalty shootouts, which is a club record.

In all competitions, it is the fourth-longest unbeaten run by a to-flight side in English football.

They are on a roll, and in truth, it's tough to envisage them being stopped before the end of the season.

Although, all runs do come to an end at some point

...

This is a crazy statistic.

Going by this, Fulham might want to be careful in the area not to trip any Man City players up.

Erling Haaland is in good penalty-taking form, he netted two just last week against Fulham.

He will be licking his lips if he gets the opportunity to score another.

It seems the spirits are high in the Fulham camp.

The west London side have arrived at Craven Cottage for today's crunch match with Manchester City.

The players are certainly in a good mood going by those smiles, I wonder if they have just come from kite flying practice?

It's a lovely day for it...

Oh, it is really tight, isn't it?

Manchester City have been breathing down Arsenal's necks lately, and today they have the chance to overtake them.

Every season, City always seem to have games in hand over their title rivals, and that's been the case for some time this campaign.

They know that three wins will win them an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Arsenal don't play until tomorrow away at Manchester United, a huge match, so City can be top for at least 24 hours.

A huge day!

Arsenal fans, how are you feeling...

I believe that the Gunners are probably more nervous for this match than Manchester City, and they don't play until tomorrow.

As we get closer to its conclusion, it’s another monumental fixture in this gripping title race.

City know that they can't lose today because if they do, they hand the initiative back over to their title rivals.

They've been here before, it's hard to imagine that they will be feeling the pressure, but it is certainly there.

Fulham are no push over, Marco Silva's side have beaten Arsenal at Craven Cottage this season. It's not an easy place to go.

Will they upset the City apple cart?

Rise and shine football fans, we have a big day ahead!

Today signifies the penultimate weekend of Premier League football this season, and it begins with a hugely significant match. Fulham vs Manchester City.

It feels like City have been the hunters for most of this campaign, but today they have the chance to leapfrog Arsenal at the top of the table.

Will they continue to tear through the league, or can Fulham spring a surprise?

Stay with us, and you’ll find out!