MATCH REPORT AND PLAYER RATINGS - FULHAM 1-2 MANCHESTER CITY

Image courtesy of skysports.com

In a nervy and tense affair, Manchester City came out as winners against an excellent Fulham side, taking another step further towards retaining the Premier League title.

The Blues got off to the best possible start, after star striker Erling Haaland scored his 50th goal in a Manchester City shirt, with an excellent penalty low to the goalkeeper's left, coming after Julian Alvarez was clattered in the box by Fulham and USMNT centre back Tim Ream.

Very much like in the reverse fixture, where City relied on a late Haaland penalty to gain a last gasp 2-1 victory, Fulham equalised very much out of the blue, after a ball over the top towards Welsh winger Harry Wilson was knocked down towards Carlos Vinicius, who lashed the ball beyond 29 year old Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, who could do very little to prevent it.

City still remained comfortable in the game, however, as they continued to create chances. Jack Grealish came very close to giving City the lead again, as his right footed shot, that was heading towards the top corner, was pushed onto the bar by former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

City eventually did retake the lead in spectacular style, as Alvarez hit a stunning right footed strike from the outside the penalty area, curling beyond Leno's grasp and into the top left corner. This was the 23 year old Argentine's 8th Premier League goal for City, which is very impressive, considering it's just his 8th Premier League start.

The second half was cagey and nervous, but ultimately, Fulham were unable to create any major chances. The closest they came to an equaliser is when they almost capitalised upon a chance gifted to them by City, after Ederson and Ruben Dias collided just outside the penalty area, however, Ederson made up for what was his mistake by getting a vital glove on the ball, to stop Vinicius from rolling it into an empty net.

The biggest chance of the second half probably fell to City, after Erling Haaland's low drive was tipped just wide by Bernd Leno shortly after the resumption of the game after half time. Julian Alvarez also nearly doubled his tally, after his powerful shot from the right hand side of the box was saved low down to Leno's left at the near post.

City are now top of the Premier League: a point ahead of Arsenal, with a game in hand over the Gunners. There is now a scenario, that doesn't seem too unlikely, where City could well seal the Premier League by winning their final home game of the season. This would rely on Arsenal losing 1, and winning 3 of their next 4 games - with Newcastle United at St James's Park on the horizon, and City beating Everton away, and then Leeds United, West Ham United and Chelsea at home, with the game against Frank Lampard's Chelsea being the game where City would reclaim the title.

This is a lot easier said than done, however, as City face two crucial UEFA Champions games against Real Madrid in the midst of this run. However, it cannot be understated as to just how important it will be if City can go into the two difficult away games against Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford in the final week of the season with the Premier League already wrapped up, especially as it comes just a week before the FA Cup final, and two weeks before a potential UEFA Champions League final as well.

This match was interesting tactically, as Guardiola opted to return to a "3-2" build up system, with John Stones dropping into midfield alongside Rodri, leaving a back 3 of Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji in possession. This was intriguing, as it is the first time we've seen Guardiola experiment with a right footed player on the left hand side of the back 3, which is a tactic we could see repeated if Nathan Ake remains unfit for the next few games.

It also doesn't bode well for the future of Aymeric Laporte, who seems to be unable to buy a start at the moment. It's unfortunate, as Laporte has been a fantastic servant for the club, and almost risked his career by playing on with a knee injury for the last few games of last season, as City struggled with an injury crisis at centre back. A summer transfer for Aymeric Laporte, with the likes of Juventus, Athletic Bilbao, Newcastle United and Barcelona interested, seems likely, especially as the Blues continue to chase RB Leipzig centre back Josko Gvardiol as a marquee summer signing.

City will be back in Premier League action on Wednesday evening, as they take on West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium, in what is sure to be another thrilling affair in City's hunt for the treble.

Here are the player ratings for City's victory 2-1 at Craven Cottage:

Ederson - 6/10 - Had very little to do, and could've done nothing about Fulham's goal. Marked down, however for almost gifting the Cottagers an equalising goal by recklessly coming out of his goal when Dias had it all under control.

Walker - 7.5/10 - Defended his flank extremely well, with Bobby Decordova-Reid and Manor Solomon posing little threat against the pace and expertise of City's 32 year old experienced full back. Played numerous accurate long balls towards Jack Grealish on the left wing, including one that led almost directly to the penalty.

Stones - 7.5/10 - Won many headers at centre back against the imposing physical presence of Carlos Vinicius, and slotted in to the midfield extremely well, as always. He would start in the centre of midfield for the vast majority of teams in the world, which says something about his positioning play and technical excellence.

Dias - 5.5/10 - A surprising off day for the usually imperious 25 year old Portuguese centre back, who looked sloppy in possession and struggled against the physicality of Vinicius. He has played a lot of football recently, and should get a rest against either West Ham United or Leeds United before City's crucial run of upcoming games.

Akanji - 6.5/10 - Could have tracked Harry Wilson better for Fulham's goal, but, other than that, he looked solid and composed in an irregular position, which he seems to have made his own in Nathan Ake's absence.

Rodri - 7/10 - Won the ball back well for Alvarez's goal, and just had a generally good game for City in the centre of midfield, where he is such a key player for the Blues.

Gundogan - 6.5/10 - Kept possession well in the centre of midfield, and looked typically solid and composed. His attacking freedom was limited once again, however, as when City came under pressure, he was forced to drop deep alongside Rodri to preserve City's slender win.

Mahrez - 5.5/10 - An under par performance from City's Algerian winger, who looked sloppy in possession, even considering the huge amount of space he was given on the right hand side at the start of the game. However, it must be admitted, he did get the assist for Alvarez's goal, even if it was a simple pass, and laid the ball off for Alvarez for City's penalty.

Alvarez - 8.5/10 - Brilliant performance from City's Argentinian diamond! Playing in the same role Kevin de Bruyne played against Arsenal, Alvarez buzzed around between the lines, finding space and putting Fulham's defence under extreme amounts of pressure out of possession. He left his mark on the game with a peach of a goal: a lovely curling strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Grealish - 6.5/10 - He could have scored at least one, and had at least one assist, had it not been for excellent goalkeeping from Bernd Leno. Other than that, Grealish's influence on the game was fairly limited, and, perhaps worryingly, he was booked for a confrontation with an opposition player for the second game in the row, something that may need addressing if he's to remain a consistent player at the back end of this season for City.

Haaland - 7.5/10 - Tucked his penalty away well, and, overall, had a very good game with his link up play, as he could well have got at least one assist for Grealish. He's scored 50 goals this season now for City, which is, quite simply, an outrageous number, as he breaks record after record in a sky blue shirt.

Substitutes:

Foden - 6.5/10 - Had a positive impact on the match, linking up well with Haaland to keep the ball in the corner flag and see the game out for City.

Bernardo - 6/10 - Ran a lot off the bench, but, by this point, City were just seeing the game out, so Bernardo was unable to show off his excellent technical ability in his limited time on the pitch.