Julian Alvarez delivered a Man of the Match performance for Manchester City as they claimed a narrow 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. The Premier League champions moved above Arsenal into top spot on the league table with a game in hand.
Following a massive win over Arsenal in mid-week that sent them within two points of the leaders, Manchester City had a chance to go top when they returned to the capital.
The champions took the lead within three minutes when Argentine striker Alvarez was barged to the ground in the box by Tim Ream. Erling Haaland stepped up to score his 34th league goal from the spot, equalling the all-time Premier League goalscoring record and becoming the first player in 92 years to score 50 goals for a Premier League club in a single season.
Not to be cowed on their own turf, Fulham pulled one back in superb style through Brazilian striker Carlos Vinicius. The striker volleyed home in the 15th minute after Harry Wilson headed down a long ball into his path, leveling matters in the match.
Nine minutes before the conclusion of the half, Alvarez handed his side the lead in stunning fashion. The champions pressed their opponents and won the ball back before Riyad Mahrez played the ball into the Argentine striker. He dribbled past one man before pulling the trigger from 25 yards, sending the ball flying into the top corner of the net for his seventh league goal.
The second half of the encounter was mostly scrappy as Fulham sought to spoil the party for the champions. Manchester City held on for an eighth league win on the bounce which sends them one point above Arsenal with one game in hand over their rivals.
