Fulham 0-3 Manchester City: 5 talking points as Skyblues run amok in second-half to secure another win | Premier League 2020-21

#3 Stones continues his fine goal scoring run

Stones was on target for City once again!

What a season it's turning out to be for John Stones!

On the verge of leaving in the summer, only an injury to Aymeric Laporte allowed him to get back into the side, and boy he's taken his chances.

Stones has been rock solid at the back for City and produced another stunning performance to help the side to a clean sheet once more.

John Stones has now scored four Premier League goals in 2021, more than:◎ Anthony Martial (3)◎ Dominic Calvert-Lewin (3)◎ Marcus Rashford (2)◎ Son Heung-Min (2)◎ Timo Werner (1)Goalscoring machine. pic.twitter.com/WKq0V4OCLe

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 13, 2021

However, the narrative in the media lately has been surrounding his uncharacteristic goal-scoring prowess, which he displayed once again tonight with a simple finish.

The England international latched onto Cancelo's sublime cross by getting a foot to it and tapping it home beyond Alphonso Areola.

It was his fourth goal of the season, all of which have come in the last 10 games alone, more than some of the most established attackers in the league.

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#2 Tactical adaptability can bear fruits for Fulham

Fulham can successfully stave off relegation if they continue to play like this

The scoreline might suggest a comfortable evening for Manchester City, who cruised to another huge win, even though reality couldn't be further away from it.

The Cottagers eventually succumbed to City's pressure, but there were certain aspects of the match they could be pleased with, and probably hope for a better result against a weaker opponent.

Parker's deployment of four central midfielders worked wonders in the first-half.

It showed they anticipated City's threats down the middle and subsequently reduced the space they could operate from.

Fulham also marked their attackers closely, following City's frontline like a shadow and trying to cut off their supply lines.

Against a mid-table side, such a ploy would've definitely yielded dividends, but perhaps they'd also need to amp up their attacking game to well and truly grab the match by the scruff of it.

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#1 Manchester City keep rolling as title edges closer

City need just five more wins to seal the title

Pep Guardiola named a heavily rotated side tonight, possibly keeping the upcoming Champions League clash against Borussia Monchengladbach in mind.

At first, it seemed like a poor decision as the Skyblues lacked the spark to trouble Fulham in the opening stanza.

However, the visitors returned from the break with more purpose, energy, and vigor, which eventually helped get the better of the Cottagers.

💪 @ManCity have won their last eight away #PL matches, in which they have scored 22 goals and conceded only three#FULMCI pic.twitter.com/5B9otxlGeG

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 13, 2021

The 3-0 victory may have been quite misleading as City were not as dominant as they've been since the turn of the year.

Yet, they got the win they came for and provisionally extended their lead to 17 points at the summit, needing just 14 more to clinch the Premier League title.

It may still be too soon to predict the winner as we're still 10 games away from the conclusion of the season. But it's incomprehensible to see this juggernaut relinquish such a huge lead.