Manchester City had little trouble with Fulham on Saturday. The Citizens scored less than two minutes into each half and cruised to a 3-0 win. One enchanting piece of Bernardo Silva control summed up Manchester City’s dominance.
Leroy Sané, David Silva and Raheem Sterling all scored for Pep Guardiola’s side, but the team’s loveliest piece of play came from the diminutive Portuguese maestro.
The 24-year-old midfielder casually controlled a high ball with his chest, head and knee before finally taking the ball down with his feet — four tiny little touches as delicate as a flower, as beautiful as an Amazonian god.
Bernardo Silva is taking the piss here pic.twitter.com/60yrd5wgC1
— SweeperGK (@SweeperGK) September 15, 2018
Did the lovely Bernardo Silva control get him anywhere? No, not really. His momentum carried him to the edge of the pitch where he was immediately closed down by a Fulham defender. But who cares when the journey was so sublime?
And there was more.
Here's Bernardo Silva again calmly controlling the ball, but this time he sets up Sterling for what very nearly was the game's second goal.
Só observem o Bernardo Silva..pic.twitter.com/yClHw4yD4S
— The Citizens Brasil (@TheCitizensBR) September 15, 2018
Bernardo Silva makes the incredibly difficult — what takes years, if not decades of practice to master — look as natural as breathing.
Of course, there were goals for Man City too — though none from Bernardo Silva himself, who missed an absolute sitter in the second half.
Sané got things going inside of two minutes when Fulham somehow allowed City a 3v1 break. It was all too easy for the German.
inSane! @ManCity get the party started in the first 2 minutes!
Stream here: https://t.co/aAHbLI93wq pic.twitter.com/kvhtQ8CuOj— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 15, 2018
The second was finished by David Silva, but the hard work was done by another tight piece of Bernardo Silva control.
A sensational team goal from Manchester City! pic.twitter.com/KJt09QLdtF
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 15, 2018
Sterling converted on a Sergio Aguero pass moments into the second half and Manchester City was on its way to a comfortable win against a newly promoted side.
#LigaPremierTD ¿Y donde está la defensa? @sterling7 remata solo y el @ManCity lo gana con tranquilidad. pic.twitter.com/0aZmKfCGnM
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) September 15, 2018