Manchester City have narrowed Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to just three points, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham on Wednesday night. The result significantly ratchets up the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side.
Erling Haaland ascended to joint-fourth on Manchester City’s all-time scorer’s list as Pep Guardiola’s team comprehensively defeated Fulham, turning up the heat on the Gunners. Arsenal will now aim to restore their six-point advantage when they face Brentford on Thursday.
Haaland netted his 153rd goal for City, drawing level with club legend Colin Bell, in a comfortable win at the Etihad Stadium. This victory trimmed Arsenal’s Premier League lead to a mere three points.
Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring, continuing his superb start in City colours, while Nico O’Reilly also found the net in a one-sided encounter played amidst persistent rain. All of City’s goals came in the first half, and with the job seemingly done, Haaland was withdrawn at half-time.
Following a recent dip in form, the Norwegian striker demonstrated composure to convert a crucial penalty winner against Liverpool on Sunday, a goal that appears to have reignited his campaign. His record-equalling strike, also his 29th of the season across all competitions, came in an astonishing 183 appearances for the club. In contrast, Bell achieved his tally over 492 games for City.
The match proved to be a comfortable outing for City. While they led 5-1 after 57 minutes in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage in December before ultimately securing a narrow 5-4 win, there was little indication of a similar fightback from Fulham this time around.
Fulham were notably compliant, frequently surrendering possession and allowing the hosts to maintain relentless attacking pressure. It seemed only a matter of time before City broke the deadlock. Phil Foden, making his first Premier League start in four games, went close twice early on, and O’Reilly fired narrowly over.
The opening goal arrived after 24 minutes when Matheus Nunes delivered a cross from the right, which Haaland headed down for Semenyo to slide in and guide past Bernd Leno. This marked the winger’s fifth goal in eight appearances since joining City, and his third against Fulham this season, having netted twice for Bournemouth in October.
Fulham had a rare opportunity against the run of play when Harry Wilson forced a good save from Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, City instantly countered, doubling their lead on the half-hour mark. Haaland was fouled by Joachim Andersen during the charge, but Semenyo continued the attack, feeding O’Reilly, who showed excellent composure to lift the ball over Leno.
City extended their lead further after Fulham again lost possession. Rayan Aït-Nouri found Foden, who in turn supplied Haaland on the edge of the box. The Norwegian was clinical, unleashing a powerful strike into the bottom corner – his first league goal from open play since December. A penalty check for an alleged hair-pull on Semenyo occurred before the interval, but no foul was given.
City eased off after the break, and Fulham attempted to rally, but a lively burst by Wilson ultimately came to nothing. The visitors struggled to build any momentum, even as City’s intensity waned. Foden had a long-range attempt that lacked the power to trouble Leno, while Josh King tested Donnarumma late in the game.
