Manchester City is back at the top of the table. A historic fourth consecutive Premier League (PL) title is now within reach.
Manchester City defeated Fulham 4-0 in the 37th round of the 2023-2024 PL at Craven Cottage in London, England, at 8:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 11.
With the win, City leapfrogged Arsenal (83 points) into first place with 85 points (27 wins, 5 draws, 5 losses). City moved one step closer to a fourth consecutive PL title, a first in history. Fulham, who collapsed at home, remained in 13th place with 44 points.
City started in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Elling Holland, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, Rodrigo, Yoshiko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake, Ousmane Dias, Manuel Akanji, and Éderson started in the back four.
Fulham also went with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Hodrigo Muniz, Willian-Andreas Pereira-Bobby Reid, Joao Palinha-Alex Iwobi, Anthony Robinson-Calvin Bashi-Isa Diop-Timothy Castagne, and Bernd Leno started up front.
City took an early lead. In the 13th minute, Gvardiol burst forward and played a one-two with De Bruyne to get into the box, where he beat the Fulham defense before slotting home a pinpoint right-footed finish to give City the lead.
Then came the injury blow. In the 16th minute, Ake suddenly went down and struggled to get up. He shook his head in pain. Pep Guardiola eventually brought on Kyle Walker in place of Ake.
City came out firing in the final minutes of the first half. On a counterattack in the 38th minute, De Bruyne’s shot was blocked by the defense, and Silva’s shot was deflected in the 43rd minute. On the ensuing corner, Akanji missed a crucial chance.
The first half ended with City leading 1-0. Fulham failed to create a single shot in the first half.
City added an insurance goal. In the 14th minute of the second half, Foden found the corner of the net with a powerful right-footed shot from inside the box. He performed his trademark ‘sniper’ move for his 17th goal of the season.
Holland blew a perfect opportunity in the 16th minute of the 토토사이트 second half when he found himself one-on-one in the box and looked to score with a left-footed curling effort, but the ball left his foot and was ridiculously wide of the goal. Holland’s teammates held their heads in their hands in frustration.
Gvardiol recorded a multi-goal performance. In the 26th minute, Silva sent an alley-cross behind the defense. Gvardiol ran onto it and finished with his foot. The goal was initially ruled offside, but after video review, the goal was awarded.
City made it 4-0 in stoppage time. De Gea was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty, which he converted. Julian Alvarez stepped up to the spot kick and rattled the net. The game ended with a big win for City.