City cruise past Fulham to keep up title pressure

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Manchester City F.C.

·11 février 2026

City cruise past Fulham to keep up title pressure

First half goals from Antoine Semenyo, Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland fired a dominant City to a 3-0 home win over Fulham as we narrowed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to just three points.

Pep Guardiola’s side were in impressive control from the off at a rain-soaked Etihad and were two up inside half an hour.

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First Semenyo was on target, claiming his fifth goal since joining us last month on 24 minutes.

O’Reilly then struck from Semenyo’s assist on the half hour to double the advantage before Haaland got in on the scoring act six minutes before the break.

The Norwegian struck to register his 153rd City career goal and so draw level with the great Colin Bell and go joint fourth in the all-time rankings.

Victory ensured we kept up momentum and maintained pressure on leaders Arsenal who play tomorrow evening away at Brentford.

The game in 250 words

It was a dank, damp backdrop to the game with rain enveloping the Etihad but the dour elements didn’t detract from City’s dominance right from the off.

Phil Foden, back in the starting line up alongside Ruden Dias, almost provided the perfect start with only a smart 11th minute save from Bernd Leno denying the England star with City laying virtual siege to the visitors’ goal.

GET IN: Antoine Semenyo wheels away after firing City ahead.

City weren’t to be denied though and it was Semenyo who made the breakthrough on 25 minutes, the Ghanaian plundering his fifth goal since joining the Blues last month.

Matheus Nunes was the architect, pinging in a fine cross from the right flank and though Sander Berge attempted to head clear he only succeeded in diverting the ball into the path of the waiting Semenyo who finished from close range.

That goal roused Fulham from their slumbers and it needed an excellent diving save from Gianluigi Donnarumma on the half hour to deny danger man Harry Wilson after he left fly from 18 yards.

City’s response was instant and deadly – the Blues immediately marching back upfield and doubling our tally through O’Reilly.

It was deliciously worked goal too. Semenyo was the provider this time, teeing up the onrushing O’Reilly who composed himself before firing home a terrific strike from the left edge of the box.

TWO'S COMPANY: Nico O'Reilly is all smiles after doubling our lead.

It was total control from City and nine minutes later Erling Haaland got in on the scoring act, the big man rifling home from Foden’s inviting assist to make it 3-0.

It was his eighth goal in eight appearances against the Londoners – and also took Haaland to 153 career goals for City, drawing him level with the Club legend Colin Bell.

With City in such control, some of our vim and intensity slightly subsided after the break though Foden was inches wide with a 59th minute drive.

Fulham huffed and puffed but the Blues held firm at the back to set the seal on another satisfactory night’s work.

THREE CHEERS: Erling Haaland leads the celebrations after further extending our advantage.

TEAMS

CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes (Khusanov 60), Dias, Guéhi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri (Nico 70), Bernardo (C) (Reijnders 60), O’Reilly, Semenyo, Foden (Cherki 70), Haaland (Marmoush 45)

Subs: Trafford, Stones, Alleyne, Lewis.

FULHAM XI: Leno, Tete, Andersen (C), Bassey, Sessegnon, Berge (Reed 79), Iwobi, Wilson (Bobb 72), Smith Rowe (Muniz 60), Chukwueze (King 60), Jimenez (Kevin 60)

Subs: Lecomte, Castagne, Cuenca, Robinson.

TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC: Bernardo Silva is captured centre stage.

Player of the match

There were no shortage of worthy candidates but Nico O’Reilly gets the nod after another superb all-action display in midfield.

Just as he was on Sunday at Anfield, the Academy graduate was at the heart of so much that was good about City’s work.

And he capped off another fine evening’s work with that superbly taken first half goal.

In what has been a stellar season for the youngster, he continues to go from strength to strength.

THE BOSS: Pep's expression summed up the Wednesday night mood!

Stat zone

Tonight’s win further extended City’s amazing home record against Fulham.

It’s now 20 consecutive home wins in all competitions and 17 in the Premier League – both not surprisingly representing the longest winning run one side has had against another in English football history.

Furthermore, City are now unbeaten in our last 56 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League home games (W48 D8).

It’s a remarkable record that goes all the way back to a 1-0 loss to Tottenham in May 2010.