Nico O’Reilly has credited midfield partner Rodri for helping inspire Manchester City’s dominant 3-0 Premier League victory over Fulham, as the champions continue to apply pressure in the title race.
The Academy graduate, who started the season operating at left-back, has recently been pushed into a more advanced midfield role by Pep Guardiola and the shift is paying dividends.
Against Fulham, O’Reilly was once again at the heart of City’s control, dictating tempo, winning duels, and capping his performance with a well-taken goal.
After the final whistle, the youngster was full of admiration for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, whose presence alongside him has elevated his game.
“Rodri is so good. Everything he does is so clean,” he said. “It’s an honour to play next to him. Playing next to him and learning from him everyday even in training helps me so much.
“I’m loving it. I love it in the middle, try to dictate the game and try to get in the box to score goals.”
City dominated large spells of the contest, particularly in midfield, where second balls and physical duels proved decisive.
O’Reilly acknowledged that this area is central to Guardiola’s tactical demands.
“He [Pep] is very big on second balls, duels, and dominating the midfield. I think I play a big part in that, using my body to win the ball back and counter. That’s what he’s trying to get across to me.
“It did [feel comfortable]. In the first half we were good, we dominated the game. Going into half time with three goals put us in a great position. I thought throughout the whole 90 minutes was good. We dictated the play and got the win.”
O’Reilly’s goal showcased his attacking instinct. After combining smartly in a two-versus-one situation, he opted for composure over power.
“It was good. Antoine is very good one against one. I made it two against one running in behind, and it was a tight angle so I thought I’d chip the goalkeeper.”
The win moves City to within three points of league leaders Arsenal, who are set to face Brentford next.
With the title race tightening, O’Reilly admitted that the chase is very much a topic inside the dressing room though the immediate focus remains unchanged.
“We’re definitely talking about it,” he continued.
“For us, our main goal is three points every game and just to apply pressure to Arsenal. So that’s all we can do really.”
As the business end of the season approaches, O’Reilly’s seamless transition into midfield and his growing partnership with Rodri could prove pivotal. If City continue to dictate games with the same authority, the pressure on Arsenal will only intensify.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
