Fulham 0-4 Manchester City: What Were The Key Talking Points As City Breeze Their Way Past Arsenal To The Top Of The Table?

Putting in what was a dominant display at Craven Cottage on Saturday lunchtime, Manchester City leapfrogged Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table as they secured a 4-0 romp away at Fulham.

In a showdown that was complete one-way traffic in west London, Pep Guardiola’s men got off to a flying start as the red-hot Josko Gvardiol produced a slick finish after just 13 minutes.

Knowing that maximum points here would move them ahead of their bitter title rivals and firmly into pole position, the Sky Blues didn’t have to get out of third gear here as they produced a stellar performance.

With Croatian defender Gvaridol bagging his second of the afternoon midway through the second-half, England international Phil Foden notched a 17th Premier League goal of the season thanks to a clinical strike just before the hour mark.

Issa Diop was then shown a second yellow card in stoppage time as he brought down Julain Alvarez inside the box, and the Argentinian ace then duly converted from the penalty spot.

While Guardiola’s men might have skyrocketed their way to the top of the pile, Fulham have now collected just a single victory from any of their previous eight Premier League appearances.

On an afternoon when City made another title statement of intent, we have taken a look at the main talking points.

City leapfrog the Gunners

While Manchester City might have suffered Champions League heartbreak last month as they relinquished their maiden European crown to Real Madrid, Guardiola’s men have continued on another remarkable domestic romp.

With their sights set on breaking more records this season and getting their hands on a fourth consecutive Premier League title, Saturday’s guests certainly made another statement here.

Running rampant at Craven Cottage and not really breaking a sweat in the west London heat, City have not suffered a single domestic defeat across any competition since the start of December and they have found their clinical best at a crucial time.

Booking their FA Cup final ticket on April 20th as they secured a gritty 1-0 victory against Chelsea, the Sky Blues have now won all of their previous eight straight showdowns against top-flight opposition.

Opening May with a 5-1 romp against Wolves at the Etihad, Man City aren’t showing any signs of a phycological blip and Saturday once again demonstrated that they are sat in the driving seat to make more Premier League history over the final week.

Foden does it again

Although Croatian defender Gvardiol might have bagged a stunning brace here and now recorded five goals in just his previous seven appearances, it was City’s homegrown superstar who was at the centre of everything positive they produced at Craven Cottage.

While the record-breaking Haaland might have comfortably leading the chase to defend his Premier League Golden Boot this season, Foden has played a leading role in City’s charge for the history books.

With the 23-year-old already named the Football Writers’ Player of the Season, Foden has now notched 17 top-flight goals this year and has enjoyed a sensational run across all fronts.

Recording 25 strikes across all competitions this season, the 33-cap international has also cruised his way to career-best numbers.

Set to line-up alongside Real Madrid talisman Jude Bellingham at this summer’s European Championships, City’s academy graduate is expected to have a vital role to play in England’s effort to get their hands on a first piece of international silverware since 1996.

Fulham limping their way over the finishing line

Although Fulham might have entered March’s international break in the midst of a real Premier League flurry, the Cottagers do have the feel of a squad limping their way over the finishing line.

While Marco Silva’s men might have always known that they faced a monumental challenge here, Saturday’s guests failed to find any kind of fluidity and were outplayed from the opening whistle.

With the Cottagers now accepting that they will have to settle for a bottom-half finish this season, the former Everton boss has seen his downbeat squad muster just a single victory from any of their previous eight consecutive Premier League appearances.

Drawing back-to-back blanks for the first time since the end of January, Fulham will also be concerned by their recent struggles on home soil.

Including a 3-1 loss at the hands of Liverpool on April 21st, Silva’s side have registered just a single point from any of their last four top-flight showdowns at Craven Cottage.

Match Report

Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Iwobi, Palhinha, De Cordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian, Muniz

Subs: Broja, Cairney, Traore, Wilson

Manchester City: Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland

Subs: Alvarez, Lewis, Doku, Bobb, Walker

Goals: Gvardiol (13’, 71’), Foden (59’), Alvarez (90+6’ P)

Yellow Cards: Diop, Robinson

Red Cards: Diop

Referee: Anthony Taylor