Manchester City built on their recent momentum at Anfield by comfortably dismissing Fulham at the Etihad Stadium, moving to within three points of league leaders Arsenal.
A clinical first-half display saw the Blues effectively end the contest before the break, with goals from Antoine Semenyo, Nico O’Reilly, and Erling Haaland.
While the intensity dipped in the second period, Pep Guardiola’s side managed the game with maturity, securing a clean sheet and putting the ball firmly back in Arsenal’s court ahead of their trip to Brentford.
The victory was marked by a standout performance from academy graduate Nico O’Reilly and a goal from Erling Haaland, his 29th of the campaign, before he was substituted at the interval.
Fulham offered little resistance throughout the evening, struggling to cope with City’s high press and rapid transitions. With the gap at the top narrowing, the Premier League title race remains finely poised as the season enters its final stretch.
Manchester City Player Ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7
The goalkeeper was largely a spectator for much of the match but remained alert when called upon. He produced a handful of solid saves on the few occasions Fulham’s attackers managed to break through, ensuring the defense wasn’t punished for any mid-game lapses in concentration.
Matheus Nunes – 6
It was a mixed evening for the versatile midfielder. While he played a key role in the opening goal by providing the assist for Semenyo, he struggled to win his individual duels and was eventually replaced after an hour following a few stray passes.
Ruben Dias – 7
Returning to the starting lineup, the Portuguese international brought a sense of calm and leadership to the backline. He looked immediately comfortable alongside his center-back partner, maintaining a tight defensive structure throughout his time on the pitch.
Marc Guehi – 7
The defender continued his run of consistent form with a very composed performance. He was instrumental in preventing Fulham from generating any early momentum, reading the game well to intercept dangerous passes before they could develop into threats.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 8
Fresh off a strong showing at Liverpool, the fullback was excellent once again. He combined a delicate touch with great defensive anticipation, notably winning back possession in the buildup to City’s third goal.
Rodri – 7
The midfield anchor dictated the tempo of the game with his usual precision. His passing range kept Fulham pinned back for the majority of the first half, allowing him to be substituted early to preserve energy for the busy fixture schedule ahead.
Bernardo Silva – 7
After a tireless shift at Anfield, the midfielder showed no signs of fatigue as he covered vast areas of the pitch. He was essential in keeping City’s offensive transitions fluid and ensuring the team remained “ticking” in the middle of the park.
Nico O’Reilly – 8
The youngster delivered a commanding performance that justified his inclusion. He capped off a brilliant first-half display with a sophisticated chipped finish over the goalkeeper, though his influence naturally waned as the team’s overall intensity dropped in the second half.
Phil Foden – 7
Foden looked much sharper than in recent weeks, showing more urgency in his movement and passing. He provided the direct assist for Haaland’s goal and was a constant thorn in the side of the Fulham defense with his incisive runs.
Antoine Semenyo – 8
Despite drifting in and out of the game at times, Semenyo was clinical when it mattered most. He opened the scoring from close range and was unlucky not to win a penalty later in the match after a clear foul in the area.
Erling Haaland – 8
The Norwegian marksman shook off a quiet start to play a pivotal role in the second goal before ruthlessly dispatching the third with a powerful strike. His clinical edge put the game out of reach before he was given a well-earned rest at halftime.
Substitutes
Omar Marmoush – 6
Coming on for Haaland at the break, the forward struggled to find the same rhythm as the man he replaced. He saw little of the ball in a second half where City were content to simply control possession.
Tijjani Reijnders – 6
Introduced for Silva to provide fresh legs in midfield, he found it difficult to make a significant impact on a game that had already lost its competitive edge by the time he entered.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 6
Filling in at right-back for the final half-hour, the defender was steady and reliable. He focused on his defensive duties and ensured Fulham had no joy down his flank during the closing stages.
Rayan Cherki – 6
The creative midfielder tried to spark some life into City’s late attacks, looking to drive forward whenever possible, though the game’s overall tempo made it hard for him to create clear-cut chances.
Nico Gonzalez – 7
Replacing Rodri, he was heavily involved in the defensive effort to see out the game. He worked hard to break up play and was successful in keeping Fulham at arm’s length until the final whistle.