Arsenal’s capitulation in the crucial stages of last season’s title race meant it was ultimately a pretty comfortable win for Manchester City.

But this time they have been pushed harder by Mikel Arteta’s men, and Guardiola stressed earlier this week that there could be no margin for error in their pursuit of another league trophy.

Against a Fulham side with nothing to play for, coupled with an impressive run of 15 straight wins against the Cottagers, a slip-up always looked unlikely at Craven Cottage.

And so it proved as they dominated throughout to make it seven successive wins in the Premier League, scoring four goals or more in six of those victories.

Arsenal are still very much in the title race, and a win against Manchester United on Sunday would put the pressure back on City, but the manner of this comfortable win indicates that Guardiola’s side are showing very little sign of nerves when it matters.

Fulham needed to win to keep alive hopes of matching last season’s top-10 finish, but that was always going to be difficult against a Manchester City side going for the title.

The hosts did make an energetic start, with City struggling to get a touch of the ball for the first couple of minutes, but with Gvardiol’s goal the visitors were firmly in control.

Fulham had one moment in the second half when they caused some alarm for the City defence, Rodrigo Muniz’s flicked effort deflecting towards the far corner before Ederson was able to scramble across, but they were otherwise largely toothless.

While relegation has never been a concern it has been a disappointing end to the season for Marco Silva’s side, having won just one of their last eight Premier League games.