STARS DIMMED

City don't even need Stones and Grealish

- Neil McLeman

MANCHESTER CITY moved another step closer to retaining their Premier League title by Pep Guardiola deploying four centre-backs in a defence that did not include John Stones.

Jack Grealish, City's £100million signing, was also out ill and has made only 10 league starts this season.

Their worst player on the pitch at Craven Cottage was 25-goal Erling Haaland, who missed two clear chances.

But it did not matter as £77m defender Josko Gvardiol netted twice. The only doubt during a one-sided encounter? Who was going to take the added-time penalty converted by Julian Alvarez for the fourth goal.

The biggest question after the FA Cup finalists' seventh consecutive league victory by at least two goals is: How long will their domestic domination continue?

It seems only the departure of Guardiola when his contract expires next summer or if City are found guilty of breaking PSŘ rules can stop the World Club champions in England.