Manchester Metropolis swept to the highest of the Premier League as Josko Gvardiol‘s double impressed an important 4-0 victory in opposition to Fulham on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s aspect are two wins away from lifting an unprecedented fourth successive English title after a commanding show at Craven Cottage. Gvardiol put Metropolis forward early on earlier than Phil Foden‘s twenty fifth purpose in all competitions this season elevated their lead. By the point Gvardiol netted his second, Metropolis had been strolling to 3 priceless factors on a sunlit afternoon on the banks of the River Thames.

Julian Alvarez underlined Metropolis’s superiority with a late penalty after Fulham’s Issa Diop was despatched off for fouling the Argentine.

Now two factors away from second-placed Arsenal, Metropolis will search for a favour from their arch rivals Manchester United, who host the Gunners on Sunday.

If Arsenal fail to win at Previous Trafford, Metropolis will probably be topped champions in the event that they beat Tottenham on Tuesday or West Ham of their remaining recreation on Could 19.

“Gvardiol’s objectives had been completely surprising. He’s unbelievable with each ft,” Guardiola stated.

“We performed very well and now we get better, then come again to London to play the large remaining (in opposition to Tottenham) to attempt to retain our title.”

No matter Arsenal’s remaining outcomes in opposition to United and Everton, Metropolis know two extra victories will make it a exceptional six titles within the final seven seasons.

“The good gamers get pleasure from enjoying with nice stress. These gamers in the previous few years have been in a position to do it and we’re once more within the latter phases,” Guardiola stated.

“Our dream was to reach within the final video games with it in our palms, to play West Ham at house with the future belonging to us.”

Metropolis’s sixteenth successive win in opposition to Fulham — the longest run of consecutive victories over one staff in English soccer historical past — additionally mathematically ended third-placed Liverpool’s title problem.

Requested why he was carrying a jumper within the searing west London warmth, the superstitious Guardiola added: “I used this outfit many instances so we preserve it as it’s. Even whether it is 45 levels!”

Guardiola had labelled the Fulham recreation as the primary of 4 “finals” for Metropolis as they goal to clinch the title after which beat Manchester United within the FA Cup remaining.

They rose to his problem in model and can head to Tottenham subsequent week boasting a 21-game unbeaten league run, having additionally trimmed Arsenal’s purpose distinction benefit over them to simply two.

Relentless Metropolis

A social media video of Fulham gamers flying a kite throughout coaching this week had raised questioned about simply how centered the hosts could be in a match that had little driving on it for them.

Arsenal’s fears had been confirmed as Metropolis carved Fulham aside in usually swaggering model to take the lead after 13 minutes.

Guardiola had revealed Metropolis practised on a dry pitch with excessive grass this week in a bid to organize for the same floor to the one which brought on them issues on their earlier go to to Craven Cottage.

Metropolis’s preparation labored a deal with as a flowing 19-pass transfer climaxed with Kevin De Bruyne clipping a cross to Gvardiol on the sting of the sting.

The Croatian defender took two deft touches as he glided by the Fulham defence earlier than planting a composed low end previous Bernd Leno.

Guardiola’s males monopolised possession, with Manuel Akanji losing a golden alternative simply earlier than half-time with a wild swipe that sailed over from De Bruyne’s nook.

Metropolis took full management within the 59th minute as Bernardo Silva accelerated into the world, his progress halted by Joao Palhinha’s deal with, just for the alert Foden to pounce with a perfectly-placed strike into the far nook.

Guardiola’s staff struck once more within the 71st minute as Gvardiol stretched to show in Silva’s cross with an agile close-range end for his fifth purpose in his final seven appearances.

Alvarez put the seal on a scientific efficiency from the relentless champions, changing a stoppage-time penalty after Diop chopped him down.

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