Pep Guardiola felt Man City were given a tough examination by Fulham

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola felt his side had survived a stern test despite ultimately running out 4-1 winners over Fulham in the FA Cup.

The Premier League leaders were stunned when the Championship pace-setters claimed a fourth-minute lead in Saturday’s fourth-round tie at the Etihad Stadium through Fabio Carvalho.

City hit back as Ilkay Gunodgan equalised two minutes later and John Stones soon headed them ahead.

Two goals from Riyad Mahrez – the first from the penalty spot – then put the result beyond doubt early in the second half but Guardiola felt it had been a tough battle.

The Spaniard said: “I know which team we faced today and which team we beat. When a team is top of the Championship it is because they are really good.

“Marco (Silva) has created an incredible team. We knew how difficult it would be. I am not over-exaggerating.

If they carry on playing this way we will face them again in the Premier League, I am sure.- Pep Guardiola on Fulham

“If they carry on playing this way we will face them again in the Premier League, I am sure.

“But in the second half we adjusted our pressing, which had not been good. It was much better and the quality of our players made the difference.”

The game got off to a blistering start as Harry Wilson broke clear down the right and whipped in a fine ball for Carvalho to turn in.

Carvalho was reportedly close to a deadline-day move to Liverpool but the collapse of that potential deal clearly had not affected him.

City responded swiftly and clinically as Gundogan levelled after being picked out by Mahrez and Stones then put City from an inswinging Kevin De Bruyne corner on 13 minutes.

The game quietened down after that frantic opening but Fulham continued to probe in the