GUARDIOLA TO REST SOME OF CITY'S FINEST

With 2 free midweeks ahead, stars will get break to allow team to challenge on 4 fronts

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City forward Antoine Semenyo (second from left) celebrating his opener against Fulham with Nico O'Reilly. He has scored five goals in eight games since joining from Bournemouth last month.

(PHOTO: AFP)

Pep Guardiola is hoping two rare free midweeks will refresh his “exhausted” Manchester City squad for the English Premier League title run-in, after labelling their 3-0 win over Fulham on Feb 11 one of their best showings of the season.

Antoine Semenyo, Nico O'Reilly and Erling Haaland struck in the first half as City built on the momentum gained from a dramatic late victory against Liverpool on Feb 8.

“One of the best (performances) of the season, especially after Anfield for our experience there, in an important, emotional game,” said City manager Guardiola.

“The next one is always tricky. We were lucky we were home.”

Guardiola substituted Haaland at halftime and replaced midfielders Bernardo Silva and Rodri in the second half.

City are still involved in four competitions. But after the visit of League Two side Salford in the FA Cup on Feb 14, they have two free midweeks to prepare for Premier League games against Newcastle United and Leeds United before the end of February.

“Bernardo was exhausted, Rodri was exhausted. He (Rodri) didn’t lose one ball and then in the second half he lost 10 balls,” added Guardiola.