Pep Guardiola sends ominous message to Arsenal after latest Man City win | Football
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Manchester City secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham on Wednesday, with goals from Antoine Semenyo, Nico O’Reilly, and Erling Haaland. Pep Guardiola noted it was one of their best performances of the season, emphasising the team’s growth as they closed the gap to league leaders Arsenal to three points, despite Arsenal having a game in hand.
Pep Guardiola says his Manchester City team is growing after producing ‘one of the best performances of the season’ in a 3-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday. Following their dramatic victory at Liverpool on Sunday, Manchester City maintained their momentum with a dominant display at home against the Cottagers.
Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring, with Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland also finding the net before half-time. This victory puts Guardiola’s side within three points of league-leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand that they will play at Brentford on Thursday night.
Guardiola was keen to point out the situation in the title race but warned his rivals that his team is improving as the season progresses. “We were not nine points [adrift] before Anfield, we are not three points [adrift] before Brentford v Arsenal, after that we will see,” said the Manchester City manager. He added, “I always say the focus is to grow, grow, grow. It’s how we can be more consistent over 90 minutes, how we can be better and the players feel that [they are] doing what we want to do.”
Guardiola also praised his team’s performance against Fulham, stating it was emotionally and physically taxing after the Anfield win. “Really good performance, one of the best this season,” he remarked. “After Anfield, in our experience when there are important emotional names like Anfield or the Champions League it’s always tricky.”
Concerns arose when Erling Haaland was substituted at half-time after scoring. Guardiola mentioned the forward felt “a niggle” but suggested it was not serious. “It was a problem, a niggle, that’s why,” he noted. “I haven’t spoken to the doctors so I don’t know exactly what it is.”
Manchester City’s next fixture is against Salford in the FA Cup on February 14, followed by a Premier League match against Newcastle on February 21. Haaland and the team will be watching with interest as Arsenal face Brentford on Thursday night.