Manchester City cut the gap at the top of the Premier League table to three points after a commanding 3-0 win over Fulham, stretching their incredible run to 20 straight victories in this fixture across all competitions.
Pep Guardiola’s men, unbeaten in 55 midweek league matches, wasted no time asserting control at the Etihad.
Phil Foden came close twice in the opening 10 minutes as the hosts pushed hard for an early breakthrough.
City’s pressure finally paid off in the 24th minute. A poor defensive header from Sander Berge fell kindly for Antoine Semenyo, who calmly slotted home his 13th league goal of the campaign.
Fulham nearly hit back immediately, but Harry Wilson’s low strike was well saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. The save proved vital, as City doubled their advantage soon after. Semenyo turned provider, slipping a precise pass into the path of Nico O’Reilly, who finished confidently past Bernd Leno.
The hosts added a third before the interval, with Erling Haaland firing a trademark strike into the bottom corner from outside the box to put the game beyond Fulham’s reach.
Fulham, who had scored in 13 of their previous 14 league outings, tried to respond after the break. However, Emile Smith Rowe and Raul Jimenez failed to trouble the target with their chances.
With the result all but secured, Guardiola rotated his squad in the second half, resting key players as City comfortably saw out the game.
The win also extended their unbeaten home run in the league to 12 matches, keeping the pressure firmly on leaders Arsenal.
