Riyad Mahrez puts AFCON disappointment behind him with 5-star performance against Fulham

• Mahrez was the star of the show as Manchester City brushed past Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round
• The Algerian bagged two goals and an assist as City cruised to a 4-1 win after initially falling behind in the fourth minute
• Manchester City extended their superb run of not losing in a domestic competition, a run that dates back to October 2021

Riyad Mahrez scored a brace on his return from Africa Cup of Nations duty as Manchester City saw off Fulham 4-1 in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, February 5.

It was a routine win for the Citizens, who went behind in the fourth minute when Fabio Carvalho turned in a cross from Harry Wilson.

Fulham’s lead would barely last 90 seconds, however, as City were back in it with Mahrez setting up Ilkay Gundogan for an assured first time finish to level matters once again.

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Soon after, it was 2-1 as John Stones calmed the nerves around the Etihad Stadium by heading in Kevin de Bruyne’s corner to ensure the hosts went into the break with the lead.

It was in the second half that City turned up the style and a series of attacks in the Fulham goal led to the Cottages conceding a penalty, albeit a soft one, when Joee Bryan seemingly tripped Jack Grealish in the box.

Up stepped Mahrez, who missed a penalty for Algeria in the AFCON, but made no mistake this time with a neat spot-kick past the Fulham goalkeeper.

Moments later and City got a fourth and it was the Algerian again who saw his deflected effort wrong-foot the goalkeeper after an intricate pass from De Bruyne.

By the time the clock hit the hour mark, City were 4-1 up and Fulham made a statement that they had given up on the tie when they took off striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

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Fulham will leave the Etihad at the back of a painful defeat, but they will take pride in being only the fourth team to have scored against Manchester City at the Etihad this season.

Marco Silva’s side will now turn their attention to the Championship, where they have been extremely prolific as they sit top of the pile and well on course for Premier League promotion.

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In the other game, Harry Kane scored twice as Antonio Conte’s side completely outclassed their opponents at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Spurs have a genuine shout at silverware this season, while in the league, Conte has managed to get them from mid-table, to being in contention for a Champions League place.

The last time the North London club lifted the FA Cup was 31 years ago.