Image copyright: Getty Images
2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 15
Manchester City v Fulham
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Saturday, 5 November 2022
Kick-off is at 15h00
Manchester City have a chance to reclaim top spot in the
Premier League when they host Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, November 5.
The Citizens briefly moved to the summit last weekend with a 1-0 victory over Leicester before Arsenal pushed them back down to second place 24 hours later after thrashing Nottingham Forest 5-0.
But they have an opportunity to go into the World Cup break in pole position as the Gunners face Chelsea this weekend and could potentially drop points to their London rivals.
Image copyright: Getty Images
City boss Pep Guardiola hailed another outstanding display from Kevin De Bruyne, whose 49th-minute free-kick secured all three points against the Foxes.
"Kevin can do the free-kicks and do the assists, we know it. He is a player who needs his dynamic. If he stays in his position, it is not his top (level)," Guardiola said.
"His top is if he has the freedom to move into the pocket, or lateral, or to the right, or to the box - he has the freedom and he has quality. Kevin needs movements, not being quiet in one position. And today he is back.
"I want this Kevin and we need this Kevin. The game against Brighton he scored a fantastic goal - but it is not enough. The goals and assists he can do blind. But we need this type of involvement in the game. And today that was the case."
The Cottagers have a dismal record against the eight-time league champions, although they're fared above expectations this season and sit seventh in the standings after winning five of their opening 13 matches since being promoted.
Marco Silva's team picked up their 19th point of the campaign in a goalless draw with Everton on Saturday to go four games undefeated in the top flight.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Silva expressed his frustration with the result after the hosts registered 24 shots at Craven Cottage, however, he's confident that more success will come as long as they keep creating chances.
"I'm disappointed, but just because of the result," the Portuguese coach said. "The feeling of our players is that they deserved clearly much more from the game, and they didn't get what they deserve.
"It's not easy to do what we did this evening against Everton, a good side. Unfortunately for us, we weren't clinical. We should have scored two or three goals because we were creative, and this is the main thing for us.
"If we keep going in this way, more goals will come for us because we are creating. We have shown the desire, the quality to create chances and on a normal night the goals will come again."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man City - 5
Fulham - 0
Draws - 0
Top the leaderboard and stand to win big
Beat the Odds this season and you could win our grand prize of GHS 250,000 in cash.
Join Betway now & bet on the English Premier League with up to GHS 200 in Free Bets. Click BET NOW below to sign up and start winning! At Betway you can enjoy a variety of soccer betting from the EPL to Champions League, international and local soccer and some of the bigest tournaments.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.