Clinical City sweep Fulham aside to stay in title hunt

Manchester City secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

Antoine Semenyo broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when Matheus Nunes whipped in a cross and Sander Berge’s attempted clearance diverted to the path of the Ghanaian, who finished from close range.

On the half-hour mark, Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action as he denied Harry Wilson’s effort from 18 yards out.

Minutes later, Nico O’Reilly doubled City’s tally after he was picked out on the overlap and the fullback found the far corner with a chip.

In the 38th minute, Erling Haaland added a third after he teed up with Phil Foden, shifted onto his left foot and finished into the bottom corner.

Just before the break, the visitors almost pulled one back as Wilson played Raul Jimenez through on goal, who tried to square it for Emile Smith Rowe, but he couldn’t connect with the pass, and the chance went begging.

The Cottagers resumed the break with intensity, and Donnarumma was called into action again as he raced out to deny Smith Rowe.

At the other end, Foden tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his effort was parried away by Bernd Leno.

In the 69th minute, Rodrigo Muniz had a crack at goal, but Donnarumma was equal to the task again to preserve City’s three-goal advantage.

City held on to secure all three points, reducing Arsenal’s lead at the summit to three points.