Manchester City 4 Fulham 0: City player ratings as the champions make a statement

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City emphatically dispatched Fulham 4-nil at Craven Cottage. Manchester City’s win sees them move top of the Premier League table and heap pressure onto Arsenal ahead of their clash with Manchester United tomorrow.

As for today’s game, Pep Guardiola’s side did the job they had to do in their 4-nil win. City controlled the game for large portions and eventually ground down Fulham’s resistance. A brace from Josko Gvardiol and goals from Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez were enough to secure the champions a crucial three points.

The win moves Manchester City to within two wins of the Premier League and keeps their title destiny in their own hands. They will now begin preparations for their game against Tottenham on Wednesday but will head to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium full of confidence and with a fourth consecutive Premier League title within their grasp.

City player ratings

Ederson-7/10: Didn’t have to make any saves of note but was calm and composed in possession.

Manuel Akanji-7/10: Looked shaky at right-back but was much better when moved centrally after Ake’s injury. Another professional performance from Akanji.

Ruben Dias-7/10: Looked a bit off the pace to begin the game but grew into the game as it went on. He will be better for getting through the full game.

Nathan Ake-6/10: Substituted after 21 minutes due to injury. A shame given his recent impressive form.

Josko Gvardiol-10/10: Scored a brace, and both goals were sublime. He’s easily the best left-back in the Premier League on form and showed it again with a dominant performance.

Rodri-9/10: Yet another dominant performance from Rodri. He made City’s midfield tick as he controlled the game from start to finish.

Mateo Kovacic-8/10: The Croatian midfielder was superb again. Dictated the flow of the game alongside Rodri and was always there when City needed him.

Kevin De Bruyne-8/10: He set up Gvardiol’s opener and was a threat throughout. Taken off with 15 minutes to go when the job was done.

Bernardo Silva-8.5/10: Picked up an assist for City’s third, and it was his sublime turn that set up City’s second goal of the game. Another big performance from Bernardo.

Phil Foden-9/10: He effectively ended the game when he scored City’s second of the day. But over the course of the game, he was City’s most dangerous creative player.

Erling Haaland-7/10: While he missed one gilt edged chance in the second half, his hold-up play was superb. Some ofhis  touches and passing showed he is a lot more than a ‘League Two’ player.

Substitutes

Kyle Walker-7/10: Came on for the injured Ake after 20 minutes. Did a professional job at right-back and nullified the threat of Antonee Robinson’s runs from deep.

Jeremy Doku-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Oscar Bobb-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Rico Lewis-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Julian Alvarez-N/A: Not on long enough to mark but expertly dispatched City’s late penalty to make it 4-nil.

Tags Arsenal Bernardo Silva Craven Cottage Ederson English Premier League Erling Haaland Fulham Jeremy Doku Josko Gvardiol Julian Alvarez Kevin De Bruyne Kyle Walker Manchester City Manchester United Manuel Akanji Marco Silva Mateo Kovacic Nathan Ake Oscar Bobb Pep Guardiola Phil Foden Premier League title race Rico Lewis Rodri Ruben Dias