Fulham 0-1 Man City – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Josko Gvardiol completes stunning team move to put visitors in front – as Pep Guardiola’s side look to move to the top of the table with a win

Fulham’s early pressure has dissipated.

Manchester City are all over them now, just as I am typing this Phil Foden fires a decent effort into the hands of Bernd Leno.

It won’t be long until there is a second.

Manchester City have total control of this game now.

Josko Gvardiol gets in behind once again and fires the ball into the box for Kevin De Bruyne.

He can’t find space to shoot though, so shifts the ball to Bernardo Silva to do so. His shot is a comfortable one for Bernd Leno.

It’s lovely football, though, it really is.

It doesn’t look good for Nathan Ake, he has been struggling for the last few minutes with a muscle problem.

It seems like it’s not something he can run off, and he is going to have to come off. Kyle Walker replaces him.

While the substitution is happening, Pep Guardiola gathers his players and gives them a passionate team talk.

He is very animated down there.

Phil Foden is rolling around on the ground holding his face.

Off the ball, Bobby De Cordova-Reid accidentally knocks Foden in the face as he tries to block his run.

I’m not sure it warranted the reaction it got from the England star.

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at Craven Cottage:

Well, that’s nine Premier League assists in 16 appearances for Kevin De Bruyne. He might top the lot again despite missing the first five months of the season.

Calvin Bassey, what are you doing?

The Fulham defender gets in all sorts of bother and gives Bernd Leno a hospital pass.

Man City put them under pressure and win the ball back high up the pitch before Erling Haaland fires over.

Nearly catastrophic for Fulham.

What was I saying?

Manchester City suddenly turn on the style, and Josko Gvardiol fires them ahead after a stunning move.

The away side work it around beautifully before Gvardiol is sent through, and he slides the ball past Bernd Leno.

That was not the finish of a defender, a brilliant goal.

The Manchester City fans are having a lovely day out.

They are singing a very catchy tune about their treble to the tune of Amarillo by Tony Christie. I’m bobbing along to it.

It’s the best thing to have come from City so far, the team on the pitch don’t look at it, so far.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid, that is lovely.

The Fulham forward wins the ball in a tight area on the wing before a lovely spin frees up some space and he gets Fulham on their way again.

The hosts have started very brightly, City don’t look themselves as of yet.

Surely, they aren’t nervous, are they?

The Fulham fans get a bit excited as Rodrigo Muniz goes to close down Ederson in goal.

However, as ever, the Brazilian keeper is as coll as ice and manages to start off a move.

He is always so relaxed on the ball.

Fair play to both sets of fans, they are making a right good racket, so far.

Usually, the early kick-offs have a flat atmosphere, but not today, chants are being sung left, right, and centre.

I’m enjoying them!

The Fulham fans roar as Andreas Pereira runs in behind.

He is tracked down by Ruben Dias, who diverts his cross out of play and for a corner.

Nothing comes from the resulting set-piece, but it has been a bright start from the hosts.

Craven Cottage pays its respect to former Fulham player, Viv Busby, who sadly passed away this week, with a minute’s of applause.

We are now underway, and the Fulham fans are in fine voice, and so are the away end.

A decent atmosphere for a 12.30pm kick-off.

Craven Cottage is looking beautiful.

Both sides arise from the tunnel into the glorious sunshine to some extremely motivational music.

Sadly, it gets ruined by the Premier League anthem, which is not very nice to listen to.

Oh well, I’ll stop moaning anyway.

All these statistics I am sharing point one way, Manchester City’s.

Here is another, Erling Haaland has scored nine goals in his 11 trips to London while assisting twice.

He loves the capital…

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City boss, speaking to TNT Sports:

We know what we are playing for, three finals, starting with the first one. You have to win the games to be champions, we cannot expect any dropped points from our rivals, so we have to do our job.

Kyle (Walker) didn’t train the last day, two days ago was partial, and we have a game on Tuesday, and Ruben (Dias) is reliable in this kind of game, that’s why I decided on this line-up.

Wow, what a stunning picture.

The anticipation for this one is coming to a climax because we are not far from kick-off now.

The two teams probably don’t even need a warm-up, do they? The sun is enough, surely…

Ouch, another record could be broken today, and it’s another not-so-good one.

Marco Silva must be sick to death of the sight of Manchester City, he has lost all nine Premier League matches against them.

If Fulham lose today, he will become the first manager ever to lose their first 10 fixtures in the top flight against a single opponent.

Not good viewing for Fulham fans, these statistics.

Peter Crouch, former Liverpool striker, speaking on TNT Sports:

Whenever he (Rodri) plays, City win, he is a key man for Manchester City. He is so consistent in his performances.

Example, an award-winning English musician, who is also a Fulham fan, has just been speaking to TNT Sports about the match.

He doesn’t sound confident, the singer-songwriter is just hopeful that his team ‘don’t lose by five goals’.

Do you all feel the same, Fulham fans?

Arsenal fans, you won’t want to read this post…

The history of this fixture is extremely one-sided, Manchester City almost always come out on top.

Fulham haven’t beaten City in their last 11 Premier League home games against them, stretching back to 2005.

City have also won their last 15 meetings with the west London side, and have scored in their last 31 games with them.

That is what you call dominant.

When I think of Joao Palhinha, I imagine a tough-tackling midfielder.

Well, the statistic I am about to share proves that.

Palhinha is just one yellow card away from equalling the record of most bookings in a single season of 14.

However, no player has ever hit that total in multiple seasons…

Not a record he will want to break today, but with the way City play I’m sure he will be crunching into challenges.

Fulham do not like the sight of Erling Haaland.

I’m sure the Norweigan feels quite the opposite, though, he loves a game against the Cottagers.

The Golden Boot leader has netted five times in his three games against the Londoners.

He is four goals clear at the top of the Premier League scoring charts, with 25 goals to his name, but he will want to further that lead today.

If I was Fulham, I would be worried…

Wow, what a line-up.

Manchester City are flexing their muscles, all the big boys are involved today.

Pep Guardiola makes just a single change, like Fulham, with Ruben Dias coming into the back four.

Kyle Walker drops out and takes a place on the bench.

Just the one change for Fulham.

It’s an enforced one, as Sasa Lukic misses Fulham’s final game of the season through injury.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid replaces him, and captains the side too.

London is looking particularly gorgeous today.

In the past week, the temperature has risen in the capital, it has been lovely. I love this time of year.

Let’s hope that today’s game matches the weather, and both sides serve us up some heat.

It’s a stunning setting for the beautiful game to be played in.

Manchester City have been simply scintillating in 2024.

Pep Guardiola’s side are 32 matches unbeaten since December, excluding penalty shootouts, which is a club record.

In all competitions, it is the fourth-longest unbeaten run by a to-flight side in English football.

They are on a roll, and in truth, it’s tough to envisage them being stopped before the end of the season.

Although, all runs do come to an end at some point

This is a crazy statistic.

Going by this, Fulham might want to be careful in the area not to trip any Man City players up.

Erling Haaland is in good penalty-taking form, he netted two just last week against Fulham.

He will be licking his lips if he gets the opportunity to score another.

It seems the spirits are high in the Fulham camp.

The west London side have arrived at Craven Cottage for today’s crunch match with Manchester City.

The players are certainly in a good mood going by those smiles, I wonder if they have just come from kite flying practice?

It’s a lovely day for it…

Oh, it is really tight, isn’t it?

Manchester City have been breathing down Arsenal’s necks lately, and today they have the chance to overtake them.

Every season, City always seem to have games in hand over their title rivals, and that’s been the case for some time this campaign.

They know that three wins will win them an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Arsenal don’t play until tomorrow away at Manchester United, a huge match, so City can be top for at least 24 hours.

A huge day!

Arsenal fans, how are you feeling…

I believe that the Gunners are probably more nervous for this match than Manchester City, and they don’t play until tomorrow.

As we get closer to its conclusion, it’s another monumental fixture in this gripping title race.

City know that they can’t lose today because if they do, they hand the initiative back over to their title rivals.

They’ve been here before, it’s hard to imagine that they will be feeling the pressure, but it is certainly there.

Fulham are no push over, Marco Silva’s side have beaten Arsenal at Craven Cottage this season. It’s not an easy place to go.

Will they upset the City apple cart?

Rise and shine football fans, we have a big day ahead!

Today signifies the penultimate weekend of Premier League football this season, and it begins with a hugely significant match. Fulham vs Manchester City.

It feels like City have been the hunters for most of this campaign, but today they have the chance to leapfrog Arsenal at the top of the table.

Will they continue to tear through the league, or can Fulham spring a surprise?

Stay with us, and you’ll find out!