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| Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's third goal with team mate Phil Foden (obscured) during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Manchester City at Craven Cottage on May 11, 2024 in London, England. |
Manchester City have stayed in command of the Premier League title race by beating Fulham 4-0, with defender Josko Gvardiol scoring a double to add to his unlikely end-of-season haul of goals.
City extended their unbeaten run to 33 games in all competitions and only have to win their final two matches -- at Tottenham on Tuesday and at home to West Ham on May 19 -- to capture an unprecedented fourth straight English top-flight title.
Centre back Gvardiol, who has been playing out of position as an attacking left back, opened the scoring in the 13th minute by exchanging a one-two with Kevin De Bruyne before slotting home right-footed.
He then wrapped up the victory by sliding in to meet Bernardo Silva's cross with an effort that dribbled over the line in the 71st.
It took the Croatia international's tally to five goals in his last seven matches after not scoring once in his previous 32 games for City.
Between Gvardiol's strikes, Phil Foden slotted home a finish off the post in the 59th to notch his 17th league goal of the season.
Julian Alvarez then added a fourth in the sixth minute of stoppage time from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Issa Diop, who received a second yellow card for the challenge.
Gvardiol appeared to be offered the chance to take the spot kick and become the first defender ever to score a hat-trick in the Premier League era, but he declined.
City climbed two points above Arsenal, who play at Manchester United on Sunday in the first of their remaining two games.
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