Manchester City keep in touch with leaders with win over Fulham

Manchester City comfortably defeated Fulham 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to stay within two points of leaders Liverpool and Chelsea.

Leroy Sane, recalled after being left out of the squad against Newcastle United, scored inside two minutes with a close-range finish after Fernandinho capitalised on sloppy passing from Fulham.

Fulham had arrived with a clear intention to take the game to City, but after that early setback, the task was beyond them.

David Silva made it 2-0 when his powerful shot crashed in off the underside of the crossbar after midfielder Bernardo Silva saved the ball near the byline.

At times last season, Bernardo appeared to be on the fringes of Pep Guardiola's squad, but in his second season since his move from Monaco, he has delighted him.

"It is almost impossible to be more pleased as a manager with him," Guardiola said. "He deserves to play all the minutes he plays.

"I don't forget the behaviour he has last season. He is an example. Last season, I said if I stay here, this guy will stay here because he is special."

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

---

With Kevin De Bruyne sidelined by a knee injury, Bernardo has been asked to play in a more central role -- and he looks comfortable with the adjustment.

"He can play three, four, five positions but he deserves all my respect," Guardiola said.

Raheem Sterling made it 3-0 with the most straightforward of tap-ins after Sergio Aguero finished burst down the right and set him up with a low cross.

There could have been many more goals, but while they opened up Fulham with some ease, City were unable to fully punish them.

"[Winning] 3-0 is a good result, but we create a lot of chances to score five, six, seven goals, so we have to be more clinical, because goal difference is important," Guardiola said.