Manchester City put in a dominant display at the Etihad to dispatch Slovisa Jokanovic’s Fulham side 3-0 with goals from Leroy Sane, David Silva and Raheem Sterling.
City’s account for the afternoon was opened after Fernandinho slid through Sane, who made no mistake and put City 1-0 up with just two minutes on the clock.
Fulham looked competitive throughout the opening encounters, countering swiftly through Andre Schurrle and Jean Micheal Seri, but City did not have to wait long to double their lead after excellent work from Bernardo Silva.
Silva, starting his fourth of City’s first five Premier League games, collected the ball on the right flank and after some excellent footwork and a sharp turn on the byline powered in a cross to a clustered Fulham penalty area. The ball cannoned off Sergio Aguero but fell into the path of David Silva, with the Spaniard remaining calm and clinical to put City 2-0 up.
Throughout the first 45 minutes Fulham had chances, Seri testing keeper Ederson with a powerful drive, but City’s defensive unit were in fine form and Jokanovic’s side simply could not find a way through.
The second half commenced similarly to the first, with City’s dominance rewarded early on after Raheem Sterling was assisted by Sergio Aguero for his first and City’s third of the afternoon.
After beginning to look somewhat jaded from his first-half performance, the substitution of Aguero was pre-meditated by Guardiola as Gabriel Jesus warmed up extensively in the half-time break, and after registering his second assist of the afternoon Aguero was taken off, presumably as a precaution to prevent any possibility of serious injury.
City saw out the remainder of the game in their typically defiant demeanour, bossing the centre of the pitch and seldom allowing Fulham any real opportunities to make their mark. Guardiola’s side remain unbeaten with 13 points from an available 15, whilst Fulham drop to 16th as the stark realities of Premier League life ring true for the West London side.
Sane sends a reminder in return to starting XI
Leroy Sane’s performance against Fulham was a true exhibition of his raw pace, deft first touch and his overall ability; we had perhaps forgotten, or were yet to be reminded, as to the sheer class that 2018’s Young PFA Player of the Year possesses.
Making his first Premier League start of the season, having been benched three times and omitted from the match-day squad once, Guardiola will be delighted that Sane has responded so positively, with the German causing Fulham’s defence endless issues throughout the 90 minutes; Cyrus Christie at right-back will have been delighted to hear the final whistle from Stuart Atwell.
David Silva remains a truly timeless entity
Silva was making his 350th Manchester City appearance in all competitions against Fulham, and his goal in the 21st minute was his 50th Premier League goal for the Citizens.
He is only the fifth City player, after Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero to achieve this feat, and his performance on Saturday once again oozed the typical class associated with the 32-year old Spaniard.
Silva will unquestionably go down as one of City’s biggest ever legends, partaking in a trophy-laden period for the club and scoring goals, registering assists and setting the tempo of their play; his performance on Saturday was yet another reminder, if we needed one, as to just how good ‘El Mago’ continues to be for Guardiola’s side.
Premier League realities hit home for Jokanovic
After a mammoth summer spend in excess of £100m, much was expected of Jokanovic and his Fulham side as they embarked on their return to the Premier League after a four-year absence.
Five games in, the Cottagers have claimed four points and sit in the realms of the relegation zone, conceding 12 goals, a league-high. In reality, Fulham possess enough quality to survive, but they will need to start putting points on the board soon rather than later as they prepare for games against Watford (H), Everton (A) and Arsenal (H) in their next three.
The likes of Andre Schurrle and Aleksandar Mitrovic will be central to Fulham’s hopes of retaining their Premier League status, though Jokanovic will have to place greater emphasis on their defensive abilities if they are to rise up the table and stave off any possibility of relegation back to the Championship.
Man of the Match: Bernardo Silva.
The Portuguese midfielder was outstanding at the Etihad, creating City’s second and proving why amidst Guardiola’s renowned rotation roulette he is presently a nailed on starter in this City team.
