Bend Fulham, Man City Evicted Arsenal from the Top of the Standings

– Manchester City won 2-1 over hosts Fulham while displacing Arsenal from the top of the standings in the Premier League continued, Sunday (30/4/2023) at Craven Cottage Stadium, London.

Meanwhile, in other matches, Manchester United won 1-0 over visiting Aston Villa. Manchester United’s goal was scored by Bruno Fernandes in the 39th minute. The Portuguese player scored a goal using a regurgitated ball from the Aston Villa goalkeeper who was trying to block Marcus Rushford’s shot.

In the match at Craven Cottage, Man City won 1-0 through Erling Haaland’s penalty. However, Fulham equalized thanks to a goal by Carlos Vinicius. However, Alvarez’s shot from outside the penalty box brought Man City ahead at half-time and lasted until the game was over.

Thanks to this victory, Man City also succeeded in shifting Arsenal from the top of the standings. The Citizens now perched at the top with a collection of 76 points or 1 point ahead of Arsenal. Man City is also 1 game ahead of the rival from London because they have only played 32 matches while Arsenal have appeared 33 times.

The new Gunner will return to play in the Premier League against Chelsea. Arsenal’s party against Chelsea at the new Emirates Stadium will be held on Wednesday (3/5/2023) in the morning starting at 02.00 WIB.

Manchester City again rely on striker Erling Haaland in the away game against Fulham. Man City coach, Pep Guardiola, carries out a 3-2-4-1 formation. Haaland is as usual the sole spearhead in the front row. He is supported by a quartet of Julián Álvarez, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish.

While in the Fulham camp, coach Marco Silva also carried out a 4-2-3-1 formation. He put Carlos Vinícius as a mainstay in the front row supported by Harry Wilson, Andreas Pereira and Bobby Reid.

Man City started this match brilliantly. They already took the lead when the game had only been three minutes thanks to Erling Haaland’s penalty kick. The referee pointed to the spot after the Ream Team fouled Julian Alvarez in the dangerous box.

Haaland didn’t waste this golden opportunity either. Goalkeeper Bernd Leno was indeed able to guess the direction of Haaland’s left-foot shot. But the ball that came too fast made the German goalkeeper unable to prevent it from hitting the goal.

But Man City’s advantage did not last long. Fulham managed to equalize in the 15th minute. The goal started from Andreas Pereira’s pass to the front of the goal. The ball was then met by Harry Wilson with a header to Vinicius. The Brazilian player then fired a left foot shot into the lower right corner of the goal and Ederson could not anticipate it.

Man City almost took the lead again in the 27th minute. Receiving feedback from Haaland, Grealish fired a right-foot shot from the left side of the Fulham defense. However, the former Aston Villa player’s shot failed to produce a goal because it hit the crossbar.

Entering the second half, Man City had several times threatened. Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez got these opportunities. However, Leno’s brilliant save prevented them from adding to the visitors’ advantage.

Score 2-1 in favor of Man City until the game is over. Pep Guardiola’s troops also managed to displace Arsenal from the top of the standings.

Lineup:

Fulham (4-2-3 -1): 17 Bernd Leno; 2 Kenny Tete, 4 Tosin Adarabioyo, 13 Tim Ream, 33 Antonee Robinson; 6 Harrison Reed, 26 Joao Palhinha; 8 Harry Wilson, 18 Andreas Pereira, 14 Bobby Reid; 30 Carlos Vinicius

Reserves: 1 Marek Rodak; 5 Shane Duffy, 7 Neeskens Kebano, 10 Tom Cairney, 11 Manor Soloman, 12 Cédric Soares, 21
Daniel James, 28 Sasa Lukic, 31 Issa Diop

Manchester City (3-2-4-1): Ederson 31; 2 Kyle Walker, 3 Ruben Dias, 25 Manuel Akanji; 5 John Stones; 16 Rodri; 19 Julián Álvarez, 8 Ilkay Gündogan, 26 Riyad Mahrez, 10 Jack Grealish; 9 Erling Haaland.

Subs: 4 Kalvin Phillips, 14 Aymeric Laporte, 18 Stefan Ortega Moreno, 20 Bernardo Silva, 21 Sergio Gomez, 32 Maximo Perrone, 33 Scott Carson, 47 Phil Foden.
82

Watch live streaming of BTV programs here