Fulham vs Man City LIVE early team news, goal updates and scores in the Premier League clash

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All the talk at Guardiola’s press conference yesterday was about grass. Fulham let her go last season, according to the City manager, and his side were unhappy with a similar situation at Forest a few weeks ago.

Guardiola was at his most sarcastic after the game, claiming that if the pitch had been in better condition, Forest would probably have taken their chances and won the game. City trained on longer grass at the training ground this week in anticipation of what could be a markedly different surface… but the sprinklers are well and truly on at Craven Cottage this morning, giving both sides of the pitch a good watering.

It won’t be nearly as dry as it could be and that can only help City.

Guardiola is tired of being asked the question, but it is the difference for City to play first this week. In the last few rounds of matches they have had to chase Arsenal – and chase Arsenal’s wins.

The pressure has been on them to respond, while today they can set the agenda and put pressure on the Gunners to get a result at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Arsenal will sleep less lightly tonight knowing they have to chase a convincing performance and result from City, and captain Kyle Walker is adamant it will be important.

“It’s the key,” he said. “I remember last season when I felt we threw it where Arsenal played before us and we had Nottingham Forest and we drew there. If you can get important points on the board that’s the main thing first. We have to we ensure they go to Old Trafford thinking “we have to win because City have gone and won”.

Erling Haaland has fond memories of his 50th City goal since last season’s away trip to Craven Cottage and this could be the game in which he can seal back-to-back Premier League Golden Boots. He is four games ahead of Cole Palmer with three games to go and more than any other player Haaland is able to pull away dramatically from the rest of the pack – as he showed with four against Wolves.

Realistically, two more from his last three matches should be enough to take the crown for what should be considered another successful season for the Norwegian, despite him not hitting the heights last year.

The last two weeks have been the sharpest Haaland has looked all season and Guardiola will be hoping his star forward can turn a potential banana peel into a walk along the river.

The weekend has already started well with City’s Under 18s, last night’s Youth Cup champions, putting in a clinical display at the Etihad.

Justin Oboavwoduo, Jaden Heskey, Stephen Mfuni and Matty Warhurst scored in the second half to give City a 4-0 victory that makes them Youth Cup champions for the first time since 2020 and the fourth time in their history.

After Pep Guardiola said the final wasn’t just a win, the youngsters proved him wrong with a winning mentality that will serve them well wherever they play.

For the first time this season, City have back-to-back games without an injury problem.

John Stones and Ruben Dias were both fit enough for the bench last weekend so could return, but Manu Akanji and Nathan Ake have both been impressive in their place so he would be unlucky to drop out.

Jack Grealish will also push for a start, as will Julian Alvarez – who scored a fine goal at Fulham last season.

It will be a good problem for Guardiola to have to pick unrestricted XI players. He said yesterday:

“(I will choose) the way I feel, the way they train, the opponent, the tactics – many things. It’s not a rule, a specific rule.”

Hello and welcome to our coverage of Fulham’s must-win Premier League game at Manchester City.

City are top of the title race this weekend ahead of Arsenal’s trip to United tomorrow and can return to the top of the table for 24 hours with three points today.

Fulham have been flying kites this week amid suggestions they are on the beach, but Marco Silva has strongly denied this and Pep Guardiola has said he expects Fulham to be determined to cause an upset today.

We’ll have every step of the action to bring you right here, from the build-up, live match updates and post-match reaction.