In a game Manchester City needed to win to keep their hopes of capturing a fourth consecutive Premier League title alive, they did just that as they defeated Fulham 4-0 at Craven Cottage.
How it happened
Manchester City was the aggressor from the initial kick-off and struck first in the 13th minute.
After some passing in the midfield, Josko Gvardiol played give-and-go with Kevin De Bruyne before receiving the ball right outside the 18-yard box and dribbling it in before unleashing a confident strike from right near the penalty spot that found the bottom left corner, giving Manchester City a 1-0 lead.
The blue and white continued to pepper shots at Bernd Leno, but he would answer the call until the 59th minute.
Bernardo Silva dribbled it to the edge of the 18 before a slide tackle from João Palhinha took him off the ball, but unfortunately for the Cottagers, Phil Foden was right there to corral the loose ball and send a sensational strike that nestled in the bottom left corner, making it 2-0.
Manchester City continued to chase a third goal, and they got what they desired in the 71st minute.
After playing a corner short, Silva swung a ball toward the back post that Gvardiol just got a boot on and managed to trickle past Leno and in for his second goal of the match.
Despite the large advantage, the blue and white kept pressing, and in the 95th minute, Julián Álvarez drew a foul in the box after Issa Diop took him down. Diop got sent off as he accrued his second yellow, and Álvarez stepped to the spot.
The 24-year-old made no mistake smashing it into the bottom right corner and wrapping up a 4-0 Manchester City victory. With the win, Manchester City set a new English record for most consecutive wins by one club over another and are now unbeaten in their last 21 league games.
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What is next
With the victory, Manchester City now has 85 points and is at the top of the table. However, that could change depending on Arsenal’s result against Manchester United tomorrow.
The blue and white could clinch the title as soon as Tuesday if Arsenal were to lose tomorrow, but they control their destiny either way by having a game in hand.
Next, Manchester City will travel to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday to take on Tottenham. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST.