MANCHESTER CITY moved another step closer to retaining their Premier League title by Pep Guardiola deploying four centre-backs in a defence that did not include John Stones.
Jack Grealish, City's £100million signing, was also out ill and has made only 10 league starts this season.
Their worst player on the pitch at Craven Cottage was 25-goal Erling Haaland, who missed two clear chances.
But it did not matter as £77m defender Josko Gvardiol netted twice. The only doubt during a one-sided encounter? Who was going to take the added-time penalty converted by Julian Alvarez for the fourth goal.
The biggest question after the FA Cup finalists' seventh consecutive league victory by at least two goals is: How long will their domestic domination continue?
It seems only the departure of Guardiola when his contract expires next summer or if City are found guilty of breaking PSŘ rules can stop the World Club champions in England.
Esta historia es de la edición May 13, 2024 de Daily Express.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 13, 2024 de Daily Express.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
HOMING IN ON TITLE
Van Dijk has Slot of time for head coach tweaking rules to help Reds thrive
Ruben is on hunt to end festive jeer
AMORIM FEELS FANS' PAIN
FUTURE LOOKING EUROPEY
Pep admits fear over Champions League status
PALACE IN WONDERLAND
Eagles urged to aim high in 'crazy season'
DYPOWER Luke aiming to join elite
MULTIPLE TITLES ON AGENDA
ALL TO PLAY FOR
Henry's hero to be King of Kempton
Rita, Sue and 'high-quality' housing too
THE site of the pub where one of the most shocking films of the 1980s was written could be transformed into high-quality flats for the UK's City of Culture.
Festive sermon 'empty words'
THE Archbishop of York has been accused of \"empty words\" in his Christmas Day message by a leading member of his clergy.
£1.8m cocaine dealer brothers got 64,000 calls in one month
THREE brothers who flooded a city with cocaine from their £1.8million dealing business have been jailed for 28 years.
Four killed as Putin missiles destroy Ukraine's energy
VOLODYMYR Zelensky blasted Russia's Christmas cruelty after massive missile strikes targeted Ukraine's energy supply.
