Premier League - Saturday 05th December 2020, 3:00 PM
Man City
2
(2)
-
(0)
0
Fulham
Attendance: 0
Referee: Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire)
Match events
Sterling
5
De Bruyne pen
26
68
Lemina
68
Reed
72
Kamara
72
De Cordova-Reid
83
Cairney
83
Loftus-Cheek
Match review
Match Report
Manchester City (2) 2-0 (0) Fulham
Premier League Match Day 11 at Etihad Stadium
Saturday 5th December 2020 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire)
Live on BT Sport 1
|
Match Stats |
Man City |
Fulham |
Goals |
(2) 2 |
0 (0) |
|
Scorers |
Sterling 5 |
|
|
De Bruyne pen 26 |
|
Goal attempts |
16 |
6 |
On target |
6 |
1 |
Shooting Accuracy |
38% |
17% |
Possession |
71% |
29% |
Passes Success |
90% |
75% |
Corners |
9 |
3 |
Tackles Success |
71% |
58% |
Saves |
1 |
4 |
Fouls |
7 |
6 |
Offsides |
1 |
1 |
Yellows |
0 |
0 |
Reds |
0 |
0 |
source: SkySports |
Raheem Sterling took centre stage as Manchester City moved ominously to within three points of the Premier League leaders.
Sterling, making his first league start for a month, scored early to end a run of six games without a goal and then won a penalty for Kevin De Bruyne to fire home from the spot before half-time.
It allowed City to canter to first consecutive league wins this season in Pep Guardiola’s 700th career game as a manager – and marked their 10th win a row over Fulham.
The only good news for the Londoners was that Burnley’s draw at lunchtime meant they stay out of the bottom three.
Sterling’s season so far had been interrupted by team rotation and a thigh complaint that saw him miss England’s last series of internationals.
But the 25-year-old looked back to this best against Fulham aided by another midfield masterclass from De Bruyne.
City were helped by breaking the deadlock after five minutes. Sterling had already been denied once by Alphonse Areola when he latched on to a clever through ball by De Bruyne and had time to slip a low finish into the left-hand corner.
The little punch in the air was testimony to his delight at ending his mini-barren run.
Conceding early was the last thing Fulham wanted and City pushed forward in search for more goals.
Joao Cancelo had an ambitious shot from 30 yards that flew wide as De Bruyne pulled the strings effortlessly in midfield. The Belgian nearly caught out Areola at his his near post forcing the Frenchman to palm for a corner after his strike took a deflection.
To the visitor’s credit, they showed purpose on the ball on the limited occasions they had it though Ederson was largely untroubled in City’s goal.
It was busier at other end with De Bruyne releasing Cancelo whose cross was turned over by Ilkay Gundogan who should have scored.
In the Fulham defence, Toisin Adarabioyo – signed from City in October – was kept busy with his new pals.
Cancelo’s raids from right-back were one of City’s chief threats and it was his run that allowed Sterling into the box after 26 minutes that saw him clipped by skipper Joachim Anderson.
It was the 20th penalty Sterling has won – a Premier League record – and though De Bruyne had missed his previous penalty against Liverpool, he confidently sent Areola the wrong way on this occasion.
De Bruyne’s first goal since the opening game of the season was also City’s 400th in the Premier League under Guardiola in only his 162nd game – eclipsing Jurgen Klopp as the quickest manager to reach the milestone.
At 2-0, it was almost too easy for City and John Stones tried to liven things up with a backpass to Ederson without realising the goalkeeper had strayed from his goal – with both parties relieved the ball went for a corner rather than into the net.
City went close to a third at the other end. Mahrez scooped a pass to Sterling whose volley was parried by Areola. Sterling then had another go with a strike heading towards the corner until Ivan Cavaleiro deflected it over.
Gabriel Jesus had been unable to get in on City’s recent goal glut and he was unselfish again when he set up De Bruyne at the start of the second half with the Belgian striking the crossbar from 12 yards.
De Bruyne hadn’t scored in open play this season but he had a glorious opportunity when released by Mahrez with Areola making another splendid stop.
Fulham were probably surprised to be only two down going into the final quarter. Scott Parker sent on Mario Lemina for Reed to add fresh legs in midfield. Forward Aboubakar Kamara was thrown on for the last 20 minutes.
Instead, it was City who continued to carve the better chances with Ruben Dias twice going close from corners while Fulham mustered just one shot on target.
After a slow start to the season, due to injuries and a hangover from their Champions League disappointment in August, City are building momentum nicely with only Sergio Aguero (knee) still absent from their big-hitters.
Guardiola’s team have already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League so will be able to rest key players in midweek for their derby at Old Trafford next Saturday.
Interestingly, the City boss didn’t make any substitutions even though he has campaigned for the number of changes to be increased from three to five.
Manchester City: Ederson, Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Mendy, De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan, Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.
Unused substitutes: Steffen, Laporte, Garcia, Fernandinho, Foden, Silva, Torres
Goals:
Sterling 6 (Fulham give the ball to De Bruyne in midfield and he charges through on goal. He slips Sterling in behind Anderson and Sterling rolls one into the far corner.)
De Bruyne pen 26 (Anderson dangles a leg in Sterling's direction who jinks cleverly away from him. It's soft but it's a penalty. No mistake from the maestro. Sends Areola the wrong way. This is turning into a repeat of the Burnley win last weekend - it's so easy for City when they play like this. Fulham just can't get the football.)
Fulham: Areola. Decordova-Reid (Kamara 72), Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Robinson, Loftus-Cheek. (Cairney 83), Anguissa, Reed. (Lemina 68), Lookman, Cavaleiro.
Unused substitutes: Rodak, Ream, Bryan, Mitrovic
Referee:
Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire)
Attendance: 0