Man City 3-0 Fulham: Pep Guardiola’s side are close to leaders Arsenal

The celebrations among the City squad at full time to keep a clean sheet symbolized the unity that had been achieved and the character they were able to show.

The result at Anfield appears to have given City and Guardiola renewed belief that they can oust Arsenal, despite not being at their best this season.

City have the experience to get the job done, having been top dogs in six of the last eight seasons, while Arsenal will hope there is no repeat of the past three campaigns where they have finished second.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given told BBC Radio Live: “There’s still a weakness that we haven’t seen in the past maybe, but they’ve still got the arsenal I think they can do crazy things now and not get beaten and all that stuff.

“It’s not such a big statement. The way they won on Sunday, the psychological side. They went and said ‘this is ours to take’.

“The belief is running through the whole club and the fans are thinking, ‘you know what, we still have a big chance’. That will give them belief in this run.”

Former England striker Alan Shearer added on BBC Match of the Day: “I don’t think it would surprise a lot of people if they ran. Especially after the game at the weekend, you could see they were full of confidence, belief and energy.

“They did their job tonight and put the pressure back on Arsenal with a three point gap now.”

The weight of expectation rests heavily on Arsenal’s shoulders before facing the Bees, and the discomfort of sleeping in the shop after seeing City tear Fulham apart in the first half.

But Arsenal know they can respond in search of three points at the G Tech Stadium and if they follow up by beating bottom side Wolves next Wednesday, the prospect of a stunning nine-point lead awaits.

The two teams will face each other in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday 22 March with a chance to score the first direct goal.

Recent history shows that seven of the 12 EFL Cup winners have gone on to win at least one other trophy in the same season, highlighting the importance of vying for the trophy at Wembley next month.

They are scheduled to meet at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League in April but the rivalry could see them three times if they go through to the Champions League and FA Cup.

Although Arsenal did not sign anyone in the January transfer window, City added Antoine Semenyo, who has scored five goals, and England international Marc Guehi, who contributed to the clean sheet.

Guardiola said his team was “growing”, adding: “We were together, we were calm with the ball, we did inside, outside. [runs]. I can say that the position was flawless for Nico O’Reilly and Phil [Foden] but sometimes it happens to be in better positions, but usually he is really happy.

“We suffered a lot at Fulham and today, after the physical and emotional work at Anfield, it’s really difficult but we talked a lot and said ‘guys we have to do it again’ and we did it.”