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Player Ratings: Fulham 1-2 Manchester City (Premier League)

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Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League with a crucial win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The match started with the usual quick tempo associated with Manchester City, and it wouldn’t take long before the deadlock was broken, as Julian Alvarez was brought down under a challenge by Tim Ream, giving City a penalty inside 90 seconds.

With Riyad Mahrez taking on responsibility against Sheffield United, it was Erling Haaland’s turn to take one from the spot. Haaland stepped up and inevitably found the net – scoring his 50th (yes 50th!) goal of the season.

An opening 14 minutes of City dominance was undone against the run of play however, after a lofted ball into the City penalty area was headed down by Harry Wilson into the path of Carlos Vinicus.

The Brazilian fired the ball past Ederson, levelling the scoring and giving Pep Guardiola’s side something to think about.

City were determined to put themselves back in front, carving out some chances predominantly through Jack Grealish, who forced a couple of saves from Bernd Leno, as his an effort was tipped onto the bar by the German goalkeeper.

The lead would be restored 10 minutes before the break, but it wouldn’t be through Grealish.

Julian Alvarez usually scores when he starts, which is a fact that held true today, as the Argentine faked a shot from 20 yards out before eventually pulling the trigger, unleashing an unstoppable effort to put City back in front.

The scoring finished there as the Sky Blues successfully saw out the rest of the game, picking up another massive three points in the title race and moving above Arsenal.

It was a huge three points for City against Fulham, and here is how we rated the players following City’s 1-2 victory at Craven Cottage!

Player Ratings:

Ederson: 5

The goal conceded doesn’t impact the Brazilian’s rating as much as the suspect distribution throughout the game does, as well as a calamitous mistake after a mix-up with Ruben Dias which was almost costly for City.

Kyle Walker: 6

The full-back made some good recoveries at the back for City, but was slightly let down with some of his passing at times.

John Stones: 7

Another stellar performance from Stones at the back for City. The defender was largely untroubled whilst looking composed in possession.

Ruben Dias: 6.5

Dias has been immense for City since his return from injury and his form didn’t particularly deter today, with another classy performance at the back.

Manuel Akanji: 6

The Swiss international looked slightly uncomfortable at times on the left, with the defender failing to track a run from Harry Wilson which led to the Fulham goal.

Rodri: 7

A standard afternoon for Rodri, dictating the tempo whilst largely nullifying the Fulham threat.

Ilkay Gundogan: 7

It wasn’t the easiest afternoon for Manchester City, but the club captain certainly ensured the players were composed to see it through until the end. Another good performance from the always reliable German midfielder.

Riyad Mahrez: 7

We’re sure he won’t take much credit for the assist for Julian Alvarez’s goal, but the Algerian does deserve praise for his work off the ball, tracking back and working hard out of possession for City.

Julian Alvarez: 9 (MOTM)

A start and a goal! A brilliant Julian Alvarez performance as he earned the penalty, before emphatically scoring City’s second, on a sensational afternoon for the Argentine.

Jack Grealish: 7

No goal contributions but it wasn’t through a lack of trying, with the England international denied by Bernd Leno several times. The winger was a thorn in the side of the Fulham defenders all afternoon as he continues his run of form.

Erling Haaland: 8

Another goal for Haaland alongside some more involvements in the build-up play, with the Norwegian a tad unfortunate not to have picked up an assist this afternoon.

Substitutes:

Bernardo Silva: N/A

Phil Foden: N/A

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