To paradise
Ederson 7; Walker 7, Otamendi 7, Laporte 7, Delph 7 (Gundogan (67th) 6); B Silva 9, Fernandinho 8, D Silva 8; Sterling 7 (Mahrez 74th) 5), Aguero 7 (Jesus (54th) 6), Sane 7 Seri’s intended pass to Cyrus Christie was intercepted by Fernandinho who raced through before squaring the ball to Leroy Sane, who was left with an easy tap-in to celebrate the birth of his daughter.
It should have been two soon after when Bernardo Silva showed deft skill before sending through Raheem Sterling whose shot went between the advancing Marcus Bettinelli’s legs but deflected on to the bar.
But City did not have to wait long for another goal. David Silva crashed home a shot off the underside of the bar after his namesake Bernardo had turned the ball back from the byline and Sergio Aguero’s shot had deflected off Denis Odoi.
The goal means the Spanish Silva marked his
350th appearance for the club by becoming the fifth City player to score 50 for them in the Premier League – after Aguero, Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko.
Andre Schurrle underlined Fulham’s attacking intent by twice forcing Ederson into saves with long-range efforts but City could have been further ahead by half-time with the overworked Bettinelli denying Sane and Sterling.
City made a fast start after the break to kill the game off when Sterling tapped into an empty net after a low cross from Aguero, who came off soon after his assist feeling the effects of a jarred ankle which makes him a doubt for the Lyon game.
Replacement Gabriel Jesus, Sterling and Bernardo all missed chances to turn City’s dominance into a bigger win before they took their foot off the gas with one eye on their midweek assignment.
Guardiola said: “Sergio felt something in his ankle when he jumped. He finished the first half good but was uncomfortable at the start of the second half and there was no point taking a risk with it being 3-0.
“Lyon? We will see how he is tomorrow when he wakes up.”
The City boss purred over the skills of his two Silvas and said Portugal international Bernardo would be at the club for as long as he is in charge.
The Spaniard added: “It is almost impossible to be more pleased as a manager with him.
“As long as I am here this guy will stay here because he is special. As for David, he has to be so proud to play
350 games. To do that in England is a big compliment to his intelligence.”
However Guardiola reminded goal hero Sane to stay focused and said: ”Sometimes he has to realise what a professional has to do but I was delighted with his performance.”
The manager admitted he felt bad about not sending on Phil Foden but assured the highly rated youngster his time will come – and soon.
He said: “I feel guilty. He deserves to play and doesn’t play. But he is going to play a lot of games this season now we will be playing every three or four days.”
Bettinelli 8; Christie 5, Odoi 5, Mawson 6, Sessegnon 6; Vietto 5 (Ayite (69th) 5), Seri
5 (Zambo Anguissa (56th) 5), McDonald 6, Johansen 6, Schurrle 7, Mitrovic 5 Bernardo Silva S Attwell Lyon, Sep 19 (H) Watford, Sep 22 (H)