Manchester City Targets Fourth Successive Title After Fulham Thrashing
Manchester City took another decisive step towards a fourth successive Premier League title after a 4-0 thrashing of Fulham on Saturday, moving the defending champions two points clear of Arsenal on top of the table with two games remaining.
Defender Josko Gvardiol scored twice while Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez were also on target as City won a seventh successive league game to hit the top of the table with two games left to play.
Pep Guardiola’s men have 85 points from 36 games, with Arsenal on 83 from 36. Arsenal can regain top spot by beating Manchester United on Sunday, but should they fail to do so, Manchester City can win the title with victory at Tottenham on Tuesday.
“The great players enjoy playing with great pressure,” Guardiola said. “These players in the last few years have been able to do it and we are again in the latter stages.”
“Our dream is, as we said a few weeks ago when they (Arsenal) lost against Aston Villa, to arrive in the last games with it in our hands, to play West Ham at home (season-finale on May 19) with the destiny belonging to us.”
City made it 16 successive wins against Fulham in all competitions, an English record for one club against another, with a ruthless display in Craven Cottage.
Gvardiol slotted City in front in the 13th minute and Foden doubled their lead in the 59th minute. Gvardiol then slid in to touch home Bernardo Silva’s cross and Alvarez rounded it off with a stoppage-time penalty as City’s fans celebrated what could be a pivotal win.
City are now 21 games unbeaten in the league and will win the title with victories against Tottenham and West Ham, irrespective of how Arsenal fare in their last two games.
Saturday’s Premier League results
Fulham 0-4 Manchester City
Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford
Everton 1-0 Sheffield United
Newcastle 1-1 Brighton
Tottenham 2-1 Burnley
West Ham 3-1 Luton
Wolves 1-3 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Chelsea.
