Manchester City punish 10-man Fulham 4-0 to reach FA Cup last 16

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 26, 2020 Manchester City's David Silva in action with Fulham's Stefan Johansen REUTERS/Phil Noble

Holders Manchester City served up an attacking masterclass as they thrashed 10-man Fulham 4-0 in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, with Gabriel Jesus scoring twice within three second-half minutes.

Any hopes of Championship side Fulham causing an upset at the Etihad Stadium were dented in less than six minutes after captain Tim Ream received his marching orders for dragging down Jesus inside the box.

"For a few moments I thought it would be a tough game," City manager Pep Guardiola said. "They're a team with a lot of courage but it was a bit different after the red card."

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 26, 2020 Manchester City's Phil Foden in action with Fulham's Terence Kongolo and Michael Hector REUTERS/Phil Noble

Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan converted the resulting penalty for his fifth City goal of the campaign, before Bernardo Silva made it 2-0 for the hosts.

Phil Foden slid the ball across the edge of the box to Silva, who made a sharp turn before driving the ball past Fulham keeper Marek Rodak into the bottom right corner.

City continued to carve open Fulham in the second half, with substitute Raheem Sterling striking the crossbar from close range on the hour mark.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 26, 2020 Manchester City's Phil Foden in action with Fulham's Stefan Johansen REUTERS/Phil Noble

Jesus eventually put the game to bed as he headed home a Joao Cancelo cross from the right wing.

The Brazilian striker made it four, 163 seconds later, when he pounced on a rebound after Foden's initial attempt had forced a save from Rodak.

Having fallen 16 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race, City are now focused on winning the remaining three cup competitions in the second half of the season.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 26, 2020 Manchester City's Joao Cancelo receives medical attention after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Phil Noble

Guardiola's side are well placed to reach the League Cup final as they hold a 3-1 lead heading into the second leg of the semi-final against local rivals Manchester United on Wednesday.

However, a tougher test awaits in the Champions League, where City meet Spanish giants Real Madrid in the last 16 next month.

"The determination was always there and we will fight to win each competition," Guardiola added. "Next is United and a chance to get to the final and that is our next target."

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 26, 2020 Fulham's Michael Hector looks dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon)

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 26, 2020 Manchester City's Phil Foden in action with Fulham's Stefan Johansen REUTERS/Phil Noble

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 26, 2020 Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus scores their fourth goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 26, 2020 Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus scores their third goal REUTERS/Phil Noble

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 26, 2020 Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus scores their third goal REUTERS/Phil Noble

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 26, 2020 Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez in action with Fulham's Cyrus Christie REUTERS/Phil Noble