Manchester City kept the Premier League title race under their control after cruising to a 4-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Josko Gvardiol kept up his incredible recent goalscoring form with two more in the London sunshine, with Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez also on target in a result that boosted City's goal-difference column in the standings.
The victory moved them top of the table, two points ahead of Arsenal, with the Gunners in action against Manchester United on Sunday. Should they fail to win at Old Trafford, City could become champions by defeating Tottenham on May 14.
MORE: Man City's remaining schedule and what they need to win Premier League title
Fulham vs Man City live score
Fulltime | Goal scorers | |
Fulham | 0 | |
Man City | 4 | Gvardiol 13', 73', Foden 59', Alvarez 90+6' |
Starting lineups:
Fulham (4-2-3-1, right to left): 17. Bernd Leno (GK) — 21. Timothy Castagne, 31. Issa Diop, 3. Calvin Bassey, 33. Antonee Robinson — 22. Alex Iwobi, 26. Joao Palhina — 14. Bobby De Cordova-Reid (10. Tom Cairney), 18. Andreas Pereira (8. Harry Wilson), 20. Willian (11. Adama Traore) — 19. Rodrigo Muniz (9. Armando Broja)
Man City (4-2-3-1, right to left): 31. Ederson (GK) — 25. Manuel Akanji, 3. Ruben Dias, 6. Nathan Ake (2. Kyle Walker), 24. Josko Gvardiol — 16. Rodri, 8. Mateo Kovacic (82. Rico Lewis) — 20 Bernardo Silva, 17. Kevin De Bruyne (11. Jeremy Doku), 47. Phil Foden (52. Oscar Bobb) — 9. Erling Haaland (19. Julian Alvarez)
They got off to a strong start at Craven Cottage, Gvardiol scoring after 13 minutes to give them the lead off another Kevin De Bruyne assist at the end of a flowing passing move.
Foden swept home with his right foot from the edge of the box to double to lead against a Fulham side who had barely threatened Ederson's goal in the first hour. Gvardiol got his second of the game from Bernardo Silva's cross 14 minutes later, VAR correctly allowing the goal to stand after an offside check, to leave Fulham resigned to a 16th consecutive defeat against City in all competitions.
Alvarez scored from the penalty spot with the final kick of the game after Issa Diop received a second yellow card for his foul on the forward. Gvardiol appeared to turn down the chance for a hat-trick, apparently preferring to give City the best chance possible of racking up a high score.
Pep Guardiola's team have now taken a significant step towards a record fourth consecutive Premier League title.
MORE: Latest Golden Boot rankings as Erling Haaland looks set to win award again
Fuham vs Man City match stats
Fulham | Stat | Man City |
1 | Shots | 16 |
1 | Shots on target | 9 |
0.12 | Expected goals | 3.15 |
35% | Possession | 65% |
409 | Passes | 759 |
1 | Corners | 7 |
0 | Offsides | 0 |
9 | Fouls | 6 |
1 | Yellow cards | 0 |
1 | Red cards | 0 |
Julian Alvarez penalty: Diop sent off for poor lunge
Already on a yellow card, Diop compounded a poor performance with an ill-timed challenge on Alvarez in the dying moments of injury time, earning himself a (slightly) early bath in the process. After City captain Kyle Walker appeared to encourage Gvardiol to take the kick to complete his hat-trick — and the Croatia defender said "no" — Alvarez dispatched the penalty confidently.
Watch in USA:
Man City get a late penalty and Julian Alvarez tucks it away to make it 4-0!#FULMCI pic.twitter.com/qaT6DAa8Qi
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 11, 2024
Canada:
Fulham FC vs. Manchester City | PREMIER LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | 05/11/2024 | Fubo Canada
— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) May 11, 2024
Watch EVERY match EXCLUSIVELY on @FuboTVCanada:https://t.co/2w98QqADfX#PL #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/K0aMFCJasY
UK:
Gvardiol has the chance to become the first Premier League defender to score a hat-trick... but lets Alvarez take the penalty instead 🤝 pic.twitter.com/kXUX1fcX1q
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 11, 2024
Josko Gvardiol second goal: Close-range finish after VAR call
Gvardiol slid in at the far post to prod the ball beneath Bernd Leno following a teasing cross from Bernardo Silva. There was a check for offside against Manuel Akanji, but VAR correctly ruled that a lackadaisical Adama Traore had played him onside. Gvardiol has now scored five goals in his past seven games, which is some going for a full-back.
Watch in USA:
It's him again! Josko Gvardiol has his second goal of the game as Man City pull away from Fulham. pic.twitter.com/S71eqCQSKd
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 11, 2024
Canada:
Josko Gvardiol SCORES!!
— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) May 11, 2024
⚽ 0-3 Fulham FC vs Manchester City
WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 https://t.co/2w98QqADfX#PL #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/1KoA6KkllO
UK:
Joško Gvardiol can't stop scoring!!!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 11, 2024
That's 5 goals in his last 7 games for the defender 😳
📺 Watch Fulham vs Man City live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/7EApUA4Nsw
Phil Foden goal: Right-foot shot after Bernardo Silva run
Foden made it 2-0 just before the hour mark. Silva spun away superbly from Antonee Robinson down the right wing and drove towards the edge of the penalty area. Joao Palhinha's robust challenge halted his run, but the loose ball fell to Foden, who shot first time with his right foot and found the bottom-left corner of the net.
Watch in USA:
Phil Foden's stunning season continues! 🙌
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 11, 2024
He doubles Man City's lead as the Citizens look to be heading back to the top of the table! pic.twitter.com/3ThBriLCRz
Canada:
Phil Foden SCORES!!
— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) May 11, 2024
⚽ 0-2 Fulham FC vs Manchester City
WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 https://t.co/2w98QqADfX#PL #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/OZbuXOFunW
UK:
Phil Foden makes it 25 goals across all competitions this season!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 11, 2024
Noel Gallagher is right in the thick of it in the away end 😅
📺 Watch Fulham vs Man City live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/zs1ga7hSpn
Australia:
Phil Foden adds the insurance goal for Manchester City!
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) May 11, 2024
They’ve got a cushion. Foden adds to his impressive tally this season.
Watch | https://t.co/7Vh2jAbfak pic.twitter.com/jCigVoVKSM
Josko Gvardiol goal: Defender scores after team move
Gvardiol opened the scoring in the 13th minute of the match following a magnificent 19-pass move. The defender exchanged passes with De Bruyne before turning away from Issa Diop — who then seemed to give up on trying to block a potential shot — and finishing low past Leno with his right foot.
It saw De Bruyne draw level with Cesc Fabregas on 111 assists in England's top flight, with only Ryan Giggs above him on the all-time list.
Watch in USA:
Exquisite team football. 🔥
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 11, 2024
Josko Gvardiol caps off a sensational move to put Man City 1-0 up at Craven Cottage!
📺 @USANetwork | #FULMCI pic.twitter.com/7tfORVxpVE
Canada:
Watch the First Half Highlights from Fulham FC vs. Manchester City, 05/11/2024
— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) May 11, 2024
DON’T MISS the second half, EXCLUSIVELY on @FuboTVCanada 👉
https://t.co/2w98QqADfX#PL #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/zu7RhNcqN2
UK:
"COUNT THE PASSES!"
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 11, 2024
A beautifully worked team goal ends with Gvardoil calmly slotting it into the net for City 😍
📺 Watch Fulham vs Man City live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/KOg2nVrvDq
Australia:
It doesn’t take long for Manchester City and it’s Joško Gvardiol who starts it off 👊
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) May 11, 2024
It’s his fourth goal in his last eight games for the Cityzens.
Not bad for a centre back turned left back.
Watch | https://t.co/7Vh2jAbfak pic.twitter.com/N2rB7CZqmF
Fuham vs Man City head to head
Man City have won 41 of the matches between these teams, including each of the previous 16 in all competitions. Fulham's last victory over City came back in 2009.
Fulham wins | Draws | Man City wins |
17 | 17 | 41 |
Biggest win: 5-0 (March 2014) | Biggest win: 5-1 (March 1984) |
Premier League live standings: Updated table
Man City moved ahead of Arsenal thanks to their resounding win. The Gunners will reclaim top spot should they beat Manchester United on Sunday, but they will have played a game more.
Table is correct after Fulham 0-4 Man City
Pos | Team | Points | Matches Played | Goals Scored | Goal Difference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Manchester City | 85 | 36 | 91 | +58 |
2. | Arsenal | 83 | 36 | 88 | +60 |
3. | Liverpool | 78 | 36 | 81 | +43 |
4. | Aston Villa | 67 | 36 | 73 | +20 |
5. | Tottenham Hotspur | 60 | 35 | 69 | +11 |
6. | Newcastle United | 56 | 35 | 78 | +22 |
7. | Chelsea | 54 | 35 | 70 | +11 |
8. | Manchester United | 54 | 35 | 52 | -3 |
9. | West Ham | 49 | 36 | 56 | -14 |
10. | Bournemouth | 48 | 36 | 52 | -11 |
11. | Brighton | 47 | 35 | 53 | -4 |
12. | Wolves | 46 | 36 | 49 | -11 |
13. | Fulham | 44 | 37 | 51 | -8 |
14. | Crystal Palace | 43 | 36 | 49 | -8 |
15. | Everton* | 37 | 36 | 38 | -11 |
16. | Brentford | 36 | 36 | 52 | -8 |
17. | Nottingham Forest** | 29 | 36 | 45 | -18 |
18. | Luton Town | 26 | 36 | 49 | -29 |
19. | Burnley | 24 | 36 | 31 | -35 |
20. | Sheffield United (R) | 16 | 36 | 35 | -65 |
When can Man City win the Premier League?
After beating Fulham, City are two points clear at the top of the table, having played the same number of matches as Arsenal.
If Arsenal fail to win at Manchester United on Sunday, City will be champions if they defeat Tottenham on May 14.