Manchester City delivered a commanding performance at the Etihad Stadium, overpowering Fulham 3-0 in a Premier League contest that saw them clinch victory before halftime. Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring in the 24th minute, sparking a flurry of goals that saw Nico O'Reilly and Erling Haaland each find the net within a 15-minute span. Fulham struggled to respond, facing a resilient City side that maintained their dominance throughout the match.
First-Half Flourish Puts Game Beyond Reach
City's relentless first-half pressure paid dividends as Semenyo capitalized on Fulham's defensive lapse to fire the opener. Just six minutes later, O'Reilly doubled the lead with a well-timed strike, assisted by Semenyo, showcasing the fluidity of City's attack. Haaland's clinical finish in the 39th minute from a Phil Foden assist effectively ended the contest, highlighting City's attacking prowess.
City Maintain Control Despite Substitutions
The second half saw a series of tactical substitutions from both sides, but neither could alter the scoreline. City made four changes, with Haaland making way for Omar Marmoush, and Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, and Phil Foden also involved. Fulham's attempts to shift momentum included bringing on Raúl Jiménez and Emile Smith Rowe, yet they remained unable to breach City's disciplined defense.
Statistical Insights: City’s Dominance in Numbers
City's control of the match was reflected in their superior possession, holding 56% and completing 91% of their passes. They registered 13 shots, five of which were on target, while Fulham managed three shots on goal from 14 attempts. City's defense, led by Rúben Dias and Marc Guéhi, effectively neutralized Fulham's advances, contributing to a third clean sheet in recent Premier League outings.
Looking Ahead: City’s Consistent Form Continues
With this result, Manchester City extend their unbeaten run, having won four of their last five matches, reflecting their green form status. Key performances from players like Semenyo and O'Reilly reinforce City's title ambitions. As they prepare for their next fixture, City will look to maintain this momentum, while Fulham aim to regroup and recover from this setback.
