Pep Guardiola's side knew a victory in the early kick-off would pile the pressure on Arsenal ahead of its trip to Manchester United on Monday (AEST), and it made no mistake.

Gvardiol scored in both halves to make it five goals in his last seven games across all competitions, while player of the season candidate Phil Foden netted his 25th of the campaign as City ate into Arsenal's superior goal difference.

Julian Alvarez then added a late fourth from the penalty spot after Issa Diop received his second yellow card, and City know two further victories over Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United next week will secure the title.

Fulham, meanwhile, stays 13th with 44 points, its winless run stretching to four matches.

The hosts’ energetic start quickly fell flat when City struck from its first real attack 13 minutes in, Gvardiol driving inside from the left to exchange passes with Kevin De Bruyne before skipping past Issa Diop and stroking the ball into the bottom-left corner.

Marco Silva cut an animated figure as City smothered its hosts from then on, with Foden testing Bernd Leno from range.

The visitors should have had a second on the stroke of half-time as De Bruyne's wonderful cross found Manuel Akanji totally unmarked at the far post. However, rather using his head, the centre-back sent an awkward volley spinning over the crossbar.

Fulham very briefly improved after introducing Adama Traore at the break, but was hit with a sucker punch just before the hour as Joao Palhinha's tackle on Bernardo Silva sent the ball straight to Foden, who drilled home on his weaker right foot.

Erling Haaland completely miscued his shot when played through by De Bruyne shortly afterwards, but City had its third with 19 minutes to play.

Silva curled a cross to the far post, where Gvardiol stretched to prod his shot under Leno, who then made a strong save to keep out Jeremy Doku's long-range strike.

However, Fulham did concede a fourth deep into stoppage-time, with Diop's reckless lunge on Alvarez earning him his second caution and allowing the Argentine to tuck home from 12 yards.