Fulham 0-4 Manchester City: Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez on target for the visitors as Pep Guardiola’s side take pole position in the title race at Craven Cottage

Fulham 0-4 Manchester City: Manchester City moved two points clear of title rivals Arsenal with a comfortable victory over Fulham.

Pep Guardiola’s side travelled down to west London with an excellent record against the Cottagers and wasted little time taking control on Saturday.

Despite needing more than 30 appearances to register his first goal for the club since his arrival in the summer, Josko Gvardiol has enjoyed something of a hot streak in front of goal of late.

After cutting inside from the flank, the summer signing played a deft one-two with Kevin De Bruyne, skipped past Issa Diop and slotted a finish in the bottom corner to put the visitors in front on 13 minutes.

Having taken the lead, City continued to dominate throughout the opening 45 minutes but were unable to build on their advantage, with Bernardo Silva coming closest as his strike was well held by Bernd Leno.

Marco Silva could be seen furious with his side’s inactivity in the opening half on the touchline, and the Portuguese manager made a pair of changes at half-time.

The introduction of Adama Traore appeared to revitalise Fulham after the restart but their momentum would swiftly be halted after Phil Foden continued his excellent form of late to double their advantage to the delight of a travelling contingent including Noel Gallagher.

Despite owning a comfortable lead, City continued to push for more as they looked to continue to reduce Arsenal’s advantage in goal difference.

Once again it was Gvardiol who found himself in the right place at the right time, with the 22-year-old getting on the end of a swinging cross from Silva to mark the first brace of his senior career.

There was yet more drama in the closing stages as Issa Diop was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Julian Alvarez in stoppage.

Gvardiol had the opportunity to become the first defender to score a Premier League hat-trick but allowed his teammate to take the ensuing spot kick and the Argentinian duly converted to put an emphatic end on a clinical performance.

With the club now two points clear of Arsenal and with Liverpool officially out of the title race, the ball is well and truly in City’s court as they look to secure a historic fourth-consecutive league title with two games remaining.