Pep Guardiola heaps praise on Julian Alvarez following winner in 2-1 victory over Fulham

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised striker Julian Alvarez following his stunning strike to earn his side a victory over Fulham today.

City took the lead in the first half through Erling Braut Haaland. The Norwegian netted a penalty to score his 50th goal of the season and his 34th Premier League goal.

However, Fulham clawed their way back into the game, with Carlos Vinicius scoring 12 minutes later to pull the scores level.

Nine minutes before half-time, City retook the lead through Alvarez. The Argentine striker skipped some challenges before thundering a strike beyond Bernd Leno.

It was his 15th goal of the season despite playing back-up to Haaland for most of the campaign. Guardiola was full of praise for Alvarez after the game.

He said (via Manchester Evening News): “If you play almost all the games to be world champion with Argentina, where there are a thousand, million exceptional players and if he is able to play there it is because he has something unique.

“But he helped me a lot to understand that maybe in the future I have to adjust something to make them both, and Kevin (De Bruyne), to make them play.

“Because especially in tight games with five in the back to have them involved there it is so important for us, really really important for us.

“It’s not just the goal and the penalty, but it is the intensity in the pressure. It is keeping the ball, it is the vision because he is an incredible, exceptional player, not just scoring goals.

“He knows exactly where are the other players and the movements, everything he does.”

Guardiola complained about the grass on Fulham’s pitch, saying it affected both teams. He said they were not as good as they could be in attack today.

Despite the complaints, City took the three points to return to the top of the Premier League table ahead of Arsenal. They have played one game less and can extend their lead at the summit.

Man City have won eight consecutive Premier League games – the longest winning run by a team this season.

City welcome West Ham United to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. They will look to consolidate their lead at the top of the table with another three points.