Five things learned: Fulham 0-4 Manchester City (Premier League)

A brace from Josko Gvardiol, as well as goals from Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez, saw Manchester City cruise to a 4-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday.

Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League until Arsenal responded with a 0-1 win over Manchester United 24 hours later to retain their position as current league leaders despite Pep’s side Guardiola has a game in hand.

City took the lead early in the first half at Craven Cottage when Josko Gvardiol scored a wonderful goal, dribbled past several Fulham defenders. After beating the first man with pace, the Croatian played a one-two with Kevin De Bruyne and finished calmly.

This was a goal that would have been hugely praised had it been scored by a winger, let alone a centre-back converted to the left-back role under Pep Guardiola for much of the current season.

City scored a much-needed insurance goal in the 59th minute when Phil Foden pounced on a loose ball to beat Bernd Leno. It was a somewhat horrifying goal that was set up from a long run by Bernardo Silva, who eventually saw it tackled before Foden took advantage.

From then on, the game was comfortably in Manchester City’s hands and Josko Gvardiol grabbed his brace just 10 minutes later when he got on the end of a Bernardo Silva cross which looped in at the back post.

In the final moments, Julian Alvarez was brought down in the box and awarded a penalty. There was little protest from the Fulham players and Alvarez coolly slotted home into the bottom right corner.

Manchester City are set to face Tottenham on Tuesday night in the penultimate game of their Premier League season. A win would keep the Sky Blues in control of the title race, but a drop would turn the tables on Arsenal.

Here are five things we learned from Manchester City’s convincing win over Fulham to keep the fate of the Premier League title race in their own hands.

Sometimes it felt like Craven Cottage was empty on a Saturday afternoon.

That is until the chants of the Manchester City supporters took over the entire stadium. Every word of every song and song came loud and clear over the broadcast, and the pictures of Poznan looked otherworldly.

It’s far from the first time Manchester City have had excellent travel support. In fact, it is now expected. However, this was perhaps the loudest traveling fans I’ve heard yet. Flawless work all around.

The Croatian’s first goal on Saturday was legitimately one of the best goals we’ve seen City score this season. From his link-up play with De Bruyne, to his effortless passing of would-be defenders and weak-footed scoring, it was yet another special performance.

It’s a goal that may not get the recognition it deserves in terms of top goals in the Pep Guardiola era. However, players will remember that goal for the foreseeable future, and the fear of hitting it in their eyes can only be more beneficial.

The second season syndrome has proven with Josko Guardiol’s performances of late. Just an incredibly special talent and he’s only 22 years old.

A few months ago, when the German manager sat down in front of a camera and told Liverpool fans he was leaving at the end of the season, it felt like a spark lit in a slightly disappointing team.

By the spring it looked like a Premier League title was well and truly on the cards for the Merseyside club. However, City’s victory on Saturday officially put Liverpool out of reach of this year’s Premier League title.

Jurgen Klopp’s England career will end with just one Premier League title to Pep Guardiola’s (currently) five.

It seemed impossible just a few weeks ago that Manchester City would be in control of the title race, let alone take the lead on goal difference. However, the Sky Blues’ performances in recent weeks have slowly begun to chip away at Arsenal’s superior goal difference.

IF City were due to draw against Tottenham on Tuesday, with the Premier League title coming down to “who wins and by how much” for the final game of the season. It’s terrifying to think about, but the Premier League title can come down to either goal difference or goals scored.

Another important moment in a vital match and another vital goal. It all started five years ago against Liverpool, where the then-teenager’s header helped secure a vital three points against Tottenham.

From hat-tricks against the likes of Brentford and Aston Villa, to long-range strikes against the likes of Everton and Manchester United. Overall, the latest effort is just another bow to use and wrap up Phil Foden’s soon to be awarded PFA Player of the Year award.