Manchester City reignited the Premier League title race with a solid 3-0 win over Fulham, bringing them within three points of leader Arsenal.
Coach Pep Guardiola, who has never suffered a defeat against Fulham’s Marco Silva, promised enhancements before the match, acknowledging that City often falls short of complete performances. The team responded by establishing a 3-0 advantage before halftime.
Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring with a simple goal, marking his fifth since transferring from Bournemouth in January. Six minutes later, Nico O’Reilly added a second, and Phil Foden assisted Erling Haaland, who was substituted at halftime, solidifying City’s dominance amid the dismal Manchester weather— a fitting backdrop for Fulham’s poor showing.
After the break, Fulham increased their intensity and engaged in more duels, but they struggled to counter City’s finishing prowess. Guardiola’s men aim to make it challenging for Arsenal as they pursue their first league title in over two decades, despite Guardiola’s insistence that his focus is on developing the team.
Arsenal will have a chance to respond against Brentford on Thursday, but the gap has narrowed to just three points. With the top teams set to face each other at the Etihad in April, this title race remains far from settled.
Haaland’s Substitution Explained
Erling Haaland scored his first non-penalty goal since December 20, ending an eight-game drought with an impressive strike. However, he was not present for the second half, a decision Guardiola labeled as “common sense” given the scoreline. Haaland has logged 2,148 minutes in the Premier League along with European and cup commitments, indicating fatigue, though no injury was reported.
Semenyo’s “Fairytale” Start
Antoine Semenyo shared his thoughts on his start at Manchester City, expressing how he benefited from being part of a fantastic team and supportive coach, making his transition smooth. He acknowledged the pressures of being in a title race, but stated the team is well-equipped to handle it.
Guardiola’s Praise for Performance
Pep Guardiola lauded his team’s performance, deeming it one of the best this season while noting the challenges that follow emotional games. He emphasized the resilience of the defense and voiced satisfaction with the first-half display, calling it “outstanding.” Regarding the title race, he reiterated the focus on growth and consistency.
Silva’s Discontent with Fulham’s Display
Fulham’s manager Marco Silva admitted his side fell short, recognizing City’s superiority. He lamented the lack of clinical finishing in crucial moments and described the second half as more balanced but still unacceptable given their overall performance.
