Manchester City Close Title Gap with Dominant First Half Against Fulham | OneFootball

Manchester City Turn Style into Substance in Commanding Fulham Victory

Manchester City tightened the Premier League title race with an emphatic first half display against Fulham, reducing the gap to leaders Arsenal to three points and reinforcing belief inside the Etihad Stadium that momentum is building at precisely the right time.

Pep Guardiola’s side, still buoyed by their dramatic late turnaround at Anfield days earlier, approached this contest with clarity, control and cutting edge. By the interval, the outcome felt inevitable, the damage inflicted in a blistering 15 minute spell that left Fulham chasing shadows and the title picture newly energised.

First Half Blitz Sets the Tone

Manchester City’s breakthrough arrived via both pressure and fortune. Fulham midfielder Sander Berge miscued a defensive header under pressure, diverting the ball into the stride of Antoine Semenyo, who reacted sharply to poke home from close range. It marked his fifth goal in eight appearances since his January arrival, further underlining how quickly he has adapted to Guardiola’s system.

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Confidence surged through City’s play. Six minutes later Semenyo turned architect, sliding a precise pass into the path of Nico O’Reilly. The young midfielder showed composure beyond his years, lifting a deft finish over Bernd Leno to double the advantage.

Fulham briefly threatened a response when Harry Wilson drove a low effort goalwards at 1-0, only for Gianluigi Donnarumma to produce a sharp save that preserved City’s control.

Any lingering doubt vanished before half time. Phil Foden, lively between the lines, threaded a measured pass into Erling Haaland’s run. The Norwegian striker drilled his finish low into the corner, his authority in front of goal once again decisive as City entered the break three goals to the good.

Title Race Momentum Builds

“Make no bones about it, City are well and truly in this title race.”

That assertion now carries weight. Manchester City had endured a rare wobble at the turn of the year, going four matches without victory. Their response, however, has been emphatic, three wins in the last four fixtures, with only the 2-2 draw at Tottenham, where they had led 2-0, interrupting a resurgent run.

Home form has provided the platform. The Etihad Stadium has again become a stronghold, this result stretching City’s unbeaten home sequence to 12 matches. They have taken 47 points from a possible 54 on their own turf, championship calibre consistency that often separates contenders from champions.

Semenyo’s impact deserves particular emphasis. Signed for £62.5 million from Bournemouth, he has blended power with intelligence, contributing both a goal and assist here to move to 17 league goal involvements this season. His directness has added a fresh attacking dimension alongside City’s established creators.

Haaland’s contribution was equally significant. His strike, his 22nd league goal of the campaign, continued a remarkable personal record against Fulham, eight goals in eight appearances. With the contest secure, Guardiola even afforded himself the luxury of withdrawing his talisman early, preserving energy for the run in.

City’s midweek dominance also continues to defy belief. They are now unbeaten in 56 midweek fixtures, a sequence stretching back to 2010, a statistic that speaks volumes about squad depth, preparation and relentless standards.

Fulham Struggles Continue Against City

For Fulham, this was another chastening chapter in a deeply uncomfortable rivalry. Marco Silva’s side arrived seeking stability but instead slipped to a third consecutive defeat, remaining marooned in mid table.

Their defensive line struggled to cope with Manchester City’s pressing structure and rotational movement. Once the early goals landed, belief visibly drained, the contest shifting from competitive to damage limitation before the interval had even arrived.

Silva’s personal record against Guardiola’s side makes grim reading. This loss marked his 14th Premier League defeat against Manchester City as a manager, a run spanning spells with Hull, Watford, Everton and now Fulham.

The club’s broader record is even more sobering. Fulham have now lost 20 consecutive matches against City in all competitions, the longest losing streak one English club has suffered against another in history.

Wilson’s first half chance remains the lingering “what if”. Had he converted, the emotional temperature inside the stadium may have shifted. Instead, Donnarumma’s intervention preserved City’s calm authority and Fulham were punished ruthlessly thereafter.

Run In Taking Shape

As the season moves into its decisive phase, Manchester City appear to be rediscovering their familiar rhythm, suffocating opponents through possession, precision and patience, then striking with clinical bursts.

Fulham, meanwhile, must regroup quickly, defensive resilience and attacking conviction both requiring sharpening if they are to halt their slide and secure a comfortable finish.

For now, the spotlight rests firmly on Guardiola’s side. The champions have reinserted themselves into the title conversation with force, and with Arsenal feeling the pressure, the closing weeks promise drama shaped heavily by City’s surging form.