Pep Guardiola Considers Break for Fatigued Manchester City Players

Pep Guardiola hopes that two unusual free midweeks will rejuvenate his "fatigued" Manchester City team ahead of the Premier League title challenge, following their 3-0 victory over Fulham on Wednesday.

Manchester City reduced the distance to table-toppers Arsenal to just three points, with the Gunners facing Brentford on Thursday.

Antoine Semenyo, Nico O'Reilly, and Erling Haaland all scored within a 15-minute spell in the first half, as City capitalised on the drive from their thrilling late comeback success against Liverpool on Sunday.

"One of the finest displays of the season, particularly following Anfield given our past experiences there, in a crucial and charged match," Guardiola commented.

"The following game is invariably challenging. We were fortunate to be playing at home."

Guardiola took Haaland off at the interval and brought on replacements for Bernardo Silva and Rodri soon after the restart.

Manchester City remain in contention for four trophies. However, once they host League Two side Salford in the FA Cup this Saturday, two clear midweeks await to gear up for Premier League clashes with Newcastle and Leeds by month's end.

"Bernardo was worn out, Rodri was worn out. He (Rodri) held onto every ball in the first half, yet misplaced 10 in the second," Guardiola continued.

"Now comes Salford, followed by time apart to recover. Our fixture list is brutally demanding, much like Arsenal's, but we get a midweek breather.

"It has been immensely demanding, compounded by numerous injuries. After Salford, we require two, three, four, or five days of rest."