By: Uchechi Ohanusi
Manchester City tightened the Premier League title race on Wednesday night with a commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham, reducing Arsenal’s lead at the summit to just three points.
Pep Guardiola’s men wasted no time asserting dominance, wrapping up the contest before half-time with a ruthless 15-minute spell that left Fulham stunned at the Etihad.
Goals from Antoine Semenyo, Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland ensured City recorded their 20th consecutive win over Fulham in all competitions, sending a strong message to league leaders Arsenal ahead of their trip to Brentford on Thursday.
The result means Arsenal, who once held a comfortable nine-point cushion, have seen their advantage shrink to three points in just four days. While the Gunners can restore a six-point gap with victory at Brentford, City’s resurgence has injected fresh tension into a title race many thought was slipping away from the defending champions.
First-Half Blitz
City carried momentum from their dramatic late comeback win over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend and translated it into early intensity against Fulham.
January signing Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring after reacting quickest when Sander Berge inadvertently redirected Matheus Nunes’ cross into his path. The Ghanaian forward has now netted five times since his move from Bournemouth, proving a vital addition to Guardiola’s attacking arsenal.
Semenyo soon turned provider, setting up Nico O’Reilly, who calmly chipped Bernd Leno at the end of a swift counter-attack to double City’s lead.
Erling Haaland, who had admitted he needed to improve after a lean spell in open play, silenced critics with a thunderous strike from outside the box on 39 minutes. It marked his first non-penalty Premier League goal since December 20.
The Norwegian had also converted from the penalty spot during Sunday’s win at Anfield but appeared determined to make a statement this time with a clinical finish from open play.
Controlled Finish
Unlike previous matches where City struggled to maintain second-half intensity, Guardiola’s side managed proceedings without unnecessary risks. Haaland was afforded rare rest time after the break, replaced by Omar Marmoush as City preserved energy for the decisive weeks ahead.
Fulham, who nearly staged a dramatic comeback in a 5-4 thriller against City in December, were unable to muster any meaningful response this time.
With Arsenal facing an in-form Brentford side boasting one of the strongest home records in the league, the pressure has now firmly shifted back to Mikel Arteta’s team.
The title race, once seemingly tilting towards North London, has been reignited.
