Manchester City reduced the gap at the summit of the Premier League to just three points following a commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. Pep Guardiola’s side entered the contest seeking to capitalize on the momentum from their dramatic 2-1 comeback win against Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday. The defending champions effectively decided the encounter during a clinical first-half display, leaving the visitors with no path back into the game.
The scoring began in the 24th minute when Antoine Semenyo pounced on a deflected cross to fire the hosts ahead from close range. Semenyo turned provider just six minutes later, sliding a precise through ball to Nico O’Reilly, who doubled the advantage with a composed finish. Erling Haaland then ended his eight-game wait for an open-play league goal in the 39th minute, latching onto an instinctive pass from Phil Foden to drill a low strike past goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
This decisive win elevates Manchester City to 53 points from 26 matches, placing immense pressure on league leaders Arsenal, who currently sit on 56 points. The Gunners face a challenging away fixture against Brentford on Thursday night, knowing that any slip-up would allow City to remain within striking distance. Despite resting Haaland at halftime and making several tactical substitutions in the second period, the home side maintained total control to secure their 16th win of the campaign.
The result continues Manchester City’s historic dominance over the Cottagers, marking their 16th consecutive Premier League victory against the London side. While Fulham remains in 12th place with 34 points, City now shifts focus to their upcoming FA Cup fixture as they continue to hunt for multiple trophies. Analysts suggest that Haaland’s return to the scoresheet from open play provides a vital psychological boost for Guardiola’s men as the title race enters its most critical phase.
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