“It’s not three points” – Pep Guardiola offers title race verdict as Manchester City stay on Arsenal’s heels | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola praised his side after winning against Fulham on Wednesday night but is not getting ahead of himself in terms of the title race just yet.

Fresh from a monumental late comeback win over Liverpool at Anfield last week, City put Fulham to the sword in a stunning first-half performance at the Etihad Stadium as goals from Antoine Semenyo, Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland did the damage for Pep Guardiola’s men.

The Blues have cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to just three points ahead of a tricky test away at Brentford for the Gunners on Thursday night, with Manchester City’s players and coaching staff sure to keep a close eye on happenings at the Gtech Community Stadium.

City have struggled for consistency in the Premier League in 2026 and after succumbing to frustrating draws against Chelsea, Brighton and Tottenham in the last six weeks, the tide is starting to change at the Etihad Stadium.

In a post-match interview with TNT Sports, Guardiola raved about City’s display in the 3-0 triumph over Fulham. “It was really, really, really good! What a performance! So happy for the guys; I think today they showed themselves that we are able to do good things,” he said.

Although Abdukodir Khusanov was deemed fit to start against Fulham after being withdrawn at Anfield with a suspected concussion, Guardiola brought Ruben Dias back into the starting XI as the 28-year-old Portuguese partnered January signing Marc Guehi in defence.

When asked on the partnership between Guehi and Dias in defence, Guardiola added: “(I enjoyed watching them) A lot! The personality, the character. I think both, they feel comfortable playing together. Really good!”

“I saw a few minutes of (Abdukodir) Khusanov in right-back, Kyle Walker-type in his prime and I know he can do that.”

Guardiola was asked about what the result means for the title race, with City maintaining the pressure and cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top to three points for the timebeing.

“It’s not three points (the gap at the top),” the Catalan said in a defiant tone. “After the game tomorrow) between Arsenal and Brentford), we’ll see how many points.”

City’s second-half performances have come under criticism in the last month-and-a-half, with the Blues letting leads slip away for fun after the interval in January and only scoring their first set of goals after the break in 2026 against Liverpool last weekend.

“It was better than previous second-halves, I would say,” Guardiola added on Manchester City’s controlled and assured display after the interval against Fulham.

Bernardo Silva has been in sensational form for Manchester City in recent weeks and Guardiola did not pass on the chance to wax lyrical about his captain on Wednesday night.

“He’s irreplaceable. When Bernardo is not playing there, we have to play another system. He’s irreplaceable,” the Manchester City manager said on Silva in his post-match press conference.

“First he comes to make the press to the goalkeeper and after he comes to make the build-up with Rodri. And sometimes he goes to the right – at Anfield – to make crosses or passes to win the game. This is Bernardo.”

City turn their attention to the FA Cup this weekend when they face Salford City in the fourth round of the competition at the Etihad Stadium, with Guardiola expected to make wholesale changes to the starting XI to keep his preferred lineup fit and firing as the season progresses.