Manchester City 4-1 Fulham: Player ratings & man of the match as Gundogan, Stones & Mahrez net

Manchester City progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday thanks to a 4-1 home win over Fulham on Saturday.

The Cottagers actually took the lead in the tie after just four minutes when Fabio Carvalho tapped in from Harry Wilson’s well-timed cross from the right.

But City responded almost immediately with Ilkay Gundogan converting Riyad Mahrez’s cross, before John Stones headed in from a corner on 13 minutes in a lively opening quarter of an hour.

The visitors gave a good account of themselves in the first half with plenty of attacking, free-flowing football, but City led 2-1 at the break.

The champions then dominated the second period, with Mahrez netting twice, firstly from the spot and then he finished off a breakaway strike to ensure there was little jeopardy in the last 30 minutes of the fourth-round tie.

City put the ball in the back of the net again, but Liam Delap’s 90-minute header was ruled out for offside.

Manchester City player ratings

Zack Steffen- 6

The American had a relatively quiet afternoon and could do nothing about Fulham’s early goal. He produced a slightly awkward save to deny Neeskens Kebano on 62 minutes.

Kyle Walker- 6

Failed to get across and pick up Carvalho for Fulham’s early goal and then was booked for a tackle on the youngster at the end of the first half. But Walker had a good game and made a few vital interceptions and tackles to thwart Fulham attacks, while also repeatedly driving forward at pace when in possession.

John Stones- 7

Scored from a corner to give City the lead on 13 minutes and put in a solid display at the back. Stones rarely looked flustered and was composed in possession.

Nathan Ake- 6

The defender found Aleksandar Mitrovic a real handful during the game but dealt well with the Serbian’s physicality.

Joao Cancelo- 7 (off 67)

Looked to get forward wherever possible but defended well against the tricky Wilson. He had two decent shots that fired over in the second half and was replaced with the game wrapped up.

Fernandinho- 7

Returning to the team, Fernandinho was his typically physical self and put in a number of strong tackles. He also was good in possession and rarely wasted a pass. The art of knowing how and when to foul certainly hasn’t left the experienced Brazilian.

Kevin De Bruyne- 8 (off 67)

Seemed to be everywhere throughout the game, popping up in the attacking areas and dropping deep to collect the ball. De Bruyne’s passing was at its usually magnificent standard and he provided two assists, one for Stones’s header and then Mahrez’s breakaway goal. The Belgian was our Man of the Match at the Ethiad.

Ilkay Gundogan- 7

The midfielder was excellent in possession and helped knit together City’s attacks. He also scored on six minutes to get the Sky Blues back on level terms. Gundogan often collected the ball from deep and looked to drive forward.

Riyad Mahrez- 8 (off 77)

City constantly looked to find him on the right wing in the first half and it was Mahrez’s cross that picked out Gundogan for his first-half goal. He bagged two after the break, with the second finished off via a right-footed effort.

Jack Grealish- 6 (off 77)

Still looks awkward when closing in on goal, and he delayed with several shots and allowed defenders time to get back, and hit an early strike right at the keeper. He did, however, look more comfortable in the build-up phases and his tricky dribbling won City a penalty in the second half.

Phil Foden- 6 (off 77)

Got better as the game progressed and Foden played in several different positions throughout the game. He produced a number of impressive dibbles and his first touches to control the ball were sublime at times. The England international also had a powerful shot on target on 68 minutes which was saved.

Oleksandr Zinchenko- 6 (on 67)

Was an energetic presence down the left wing and helped City retain possession in the final stages.

Raheem Sterling- 5 (on 67)

Not quite at his best when he came on, and Sterling wasted a shooting opportunity that he should have passed to James McAtee, while also blazed a free-kick high over the crossbar.

Bernardo Silva (on 77), Liam Delap (on 77), James McAtee (on 77)

Fulham player ratings

Gazzaniga 6; Williams 6, Adarabioyo 5, Ream 6, Bryan 5; Reed 7 (Seri 67; 5), Chalobah 6; Wilson 6 (Cairney 75), Carvalho 7 (Cavaleiro 87), Kebano 5 (Knockaert 67; 5); Mitrovic 6 (Muniz 75).