Manchester City – Fulham 3-0 » Pep Guardiola's team settled things in 15 minutes and keep close to Arsenal

The “Citizens” are three points behind the leader Arsenal, but with an extra game played.

PHOTO. Manchester City settled the game in the first half

The formation from Manchester started the game ultra-offensively. In the 8th minute, Phil Foden sent a dangerous shot from outside the box, which was deflected into the corner by a defender. The Englishman went close again in the 15th minute when Bernd Leno made a superb save from close range.

In the 24th minute, Matheus Nunes had space on the right flank and crossed dangerously in front of the goal. The ball found its way to Antoine Semenyo, who poked it into the net from close range for 1-0.

Six minutes later, the roles were reversed: Semenyo fed Nico O'Reilly and the young midfielder finished with a left-footed shot to make it 2-0. The decisive blow came before the break.

In the 39th minute, after a quick counterattack orchestrated by Foden, Erling Haaland shot powerfully from outside the box and beat Leno for 3-0. Basically, the match was closed after the first 45 minutes.

Fulham, favorite victim for City

Fulham has once again become one of Manchester City's favorite “victims”. The victory at the Etihad is the 20th in a row for the “citizens” in direct confrontations with the Londoners.

City also confirm their solid form in recent weeks: five wins in their last six games, including successes against Liverpool (2-1), Newcastle (3-1 in the League Cup) and Galatasaray (2-0 in the Champions League). The only recent misstep was the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

At home, Guardiola's team remains one of the strongest teams in the championship, with 32 points out of a possible 39.

Fulham, 4 defeats in the last 5 games

On the other hand, Marco Silva's team is going through a complicated period. Fulham have lost four of their last five games and remain in 12th place with 34 points in a quiet zone of the table, away from both relegation and the European cups.

Premier League standings

FINAL » Manchester City – Fulham 3-0

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• Markers: Semenyo 24', O'Reilly 30', Haaland 39'
• GOAL! Minute 39: Erling Haaland scores with his left foot from outside the box, after a quick counterattack orchestrated by Phil Foden.
• GOAL! Minute 30: Nico O'Reilly scored with his left foot after a pass from Antoine Semenyo, the author of the first goal.
• GOAL! Minute 24: The space given to Matheus Nunes paid off and leads to City's first goal. Nunes' cross from the right flank is deflected in front of Antoine Semenyo, who scores from close range.
• Minute 15: Foden has another chance but Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno saves the shot from close range.
• Minute 8: Manchester City have the first chance of the match. Foden's shot from outside the box was headed for goal but was blocked by a defender. “Citizens” will benefit from the corner.

Manchester City – Fulham, starting teams:

Manchester City (4-3-3): Donnarumma – Nunes, R. Dias, Guehi, Ait Nouri – O'Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo Silva – Semenyo, Haaland, Foden
Reserves: Trafford – Alleyne, Cherki, Khusanov, Lewis, Marmoush, Nico, Reijnders, Stones
Absent: Doku, Gvardiol, Savinho, Kovacic (injured)
Manager: Pep Guardiola

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno – Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon – Berge, Iwobi – Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukuweze – R. Jimenez
Reserves: Lecomte – Bobb, Castagne, Cuenca, Kevin, King, Reed, Robinson, R. Muniz
Absent: Cairney, Lukic
Manager: Marco Silva

Stadium: Etihad
Referee: Paul Tierney