Report and free match highlights as Manchester City closed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to three points by thumping Fulham; all three goals were scored in the first half; Antoine Semenyo netted an easy opener; Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland were also on target
Pep Guardiola, who has never lost to opposite number Marco Silva, promised improvement pre-match after accepting City rarely deliver complete performances – his side responded by racing into a 3-0 lead before half-time.
Antoine Semenyo was gifted an easy opener, his fifth since his January move from Bournemouth, and the hosts never looked back. Nico O’Reilly scored a well-taken second six minutes later before Phil Foden teed up Erling Haaland, who was withdrawn at half-time, to put the result well beyond Fulham in the miserable Manchester rain. A rather fitting reflection of Fulham’s dismal display.
The visitors picked up the pace after the break and at least battled in the head-to-head duels, but were no match for City’s immense finishing power. Guardiola’s side are intent on making it as difficult as possible for Arsenal to lay claim to their first league honours for over 20 years, despite the Spaniard insisting his only interest is to “grow the team”.
The Gunners have the chance to respond at Brentford on Thursday night, but for now, the gap has been reduced to just three. And with the top two still to play each other at the Etihad in April, this title race looks far from a forgone conclusion.
Erling Haaland scored his first non-penalty goal since December 20 to end an eight-game run. The strike was superbly taken, too, an instinctive snapshot from the edge of the area. If that moment sparks a scoring run at this decisive time in the campaign, it might just be the difference. But, if City are forced to cope without him, that could equally prove an important turning point.
The No 9 did not re-emerge for the second half, a decision Pep called “common sense” against the backdrop of a 3-0 scoreline. Haaland has played 2,148 minutes in the Premier League so far this term, on top of European demands and cup commitments. He’s clearly fatigued, which accounts for his drop-off in effectiveness from open play. There was no mention of an injury, though, which should put minds at rest.
It’s likely he would have been used in reserve for this weekend’s FA Cup game anyway, and the pause will do him good. If City are going to rival Arsenal for major honours come May, they must not only have Haaland fit, they must have him fully firing.
