Guardiola ‘pretty sure’ Fulham will stay up

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Fulham after his side eased past the Whites at the Etihad on Saturday.

The defending Premier League champions enjoyed almost two-thirds of the possession and peppered Marcus Bettinelli’s goal with a total of 27 shots, as Slavisa Jokanovic stayed true to his team’s own expansive style despite their defensive frailty.

Such ambition to create free-flowing attacks is something that Guardiola holds in high regard, in contrast to the overly compact shape of most of City’s opponents who simply aim to avoid conceding.

“I give a lot of credit to Fulham,” Guardiola said. “Fulham asked a lot from us because they want to play with good build-up.

“They didn’t come here to defend with long balls and set pieces. They came here to play. I like to watch these kinds of teams.”

Going into Saturday’s match, only Chelsea, City and Liverpool had totalled more sequences of 10+ passes than Jokanovic’s outfit in the top flight this season.

And it has not gone unnoticed by the decorated Guardiola, who has championed a similar strategy throughout his managerial career.

Guardiola added: “Fulham ask a lot from their opponents. A lot. And we knew that. The example is the first minute and 30 or 45 seconds. They had the ball, pass, pass, pass, cross, corner.

“When that happens, they create a lot of problems for the other teams, because they have courage. They have personality. That’s why they were promoted and are in the Premier League, so big compliments. They will cause a lot of surprises to the Premier League, this team.

“I am pretty sure Fulham will be in the Premier League next season. I am pretty sure of that.”