Manchester City 2 Fulham 0: City player ratings as Manchester City clinch a Champions League spot | OneFootball

Manchester City 2 (Ilkay Gundogan 21′, Erling Haaland (P) 72′)

Fulham 0

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City beat Fulham 2-nil at Craven Cottage. The win ensures Manchester City’s spot in next season’s Champions League as they finish third on the Premier League table after a difficult season. Ahead of kick-off, the biggest surprise was that Kevin De Bruyne was named on the bench. Jack Grealish didn’t make the Manchester City matchday squad as his future at the club appears to be in doubt.

First half

The game kicked off in front of a carnival atmosphere at Craven Cottage. Fulham’s fans were in fine voice, and the City travelling supporters were singing their hearts out as usual.

Manchester City made a bright start to the game in the games opening 5 minutes. Erling Haaland found himself in a good position in the second minute, but his attempted through ball for Omar Marmoush was cut out by Bernd Leno. Perhaps Haaland should have shot, given the time and space he had outside the Fulham penalty area when he picked the ball up. Omar Marmoush fired a free kick high and wide from a good position in the 5th minute. But Pep Guardiola’s side had made a bright start to the match.

Manchester City was the dominant side for the game’s opening 20 minutes, but while Pep Guardiola’s side created several openings, they didn’t result in any chances of note. Fulham were defending deep and daring Pep Guardiola’s side to break them down.

ILKAY GUNDOGAN GIVES MANCHESTER CITY THE LEAD!!!!

In the 21st minute, Manchester City would take the lead. A fine Nico ball saw Matheus Nunes win a strong aerial challenge on the right wing. The Portuguese international was played in by Omar Marmoush on the right-hand side, and his initial shot was well saved by Bernd Leno. But the rebound fell to Ilkay Gundogan, who beat Leno in the Fulham goal with a sublime bicycle kick that hit the crossbar and went in to give Pep Guardiola’s side the lead. It was a great finish by Gundogan, and the goal gave City the lead they deserved.

Fulham would have a quick response to Manchester City’s goal. A good ball from the left-hand side from Antonee Robinson was cleared by Josko Gvardiol. His defensive header fell to Harry Wilson in a good position. Wilson let fly with a ferocious low drive, which Ederson made a superb save to deny the Fulham winger. The rebound fell to Adama Traore, but his shot was blocked. But a warning shot was fired at Pep Guardiola’s team by Marco Silva’s side.

Fulham were giving as good as they got following Manchester City’s goal.

Fulham would again come close again in the 35th minute. Adama Traore played in a quality ball from the right wing, and Manchester City’s defensive clearance fell to Tom Cairney, whose first shot was blocked from just near the City penalty spot. The rebound fell to Andreas Pereira, who teed up Cairney once again, who curled an effort just wide of the far post with Ederson scrambling.

Manchester City should have doubled their lead in the 40th minute. A quality ball from Jokso Gvardiol played in Jeremy Doku in acres of space on the left-hand side. He drove into a dangerous position and picked out Omar Marmoush. Marmoush took a touch, and his shot was blocked. The ball fell to Nico, but his shot was saved by Bernd Leno. With the value of hindsight, perhaps Omar Marmoush should have hit his shot first time instead of taking a touch.

Harry Wilson was once again denied by Ederson in the 43rd minute. Wilson was picked out in acres of space on Fulham’s right wing. He worked his way into the penalty and fired in a low curling effort at goal. But Ederson made a superb save to deny Wilson once again. Andreas Pereira fired a tap in wide to the relief of Pep Guardiola’s side.

Omar Marmoush would fire a shot high and wide after being set up by Erling Haaland to end the first half. It was an entertaining first half, and the job was half done for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Second half

Manchester City began the second half full of intent. Jeremy Doku saw a shot blocked in the 46th minute from a dangerous position, and Josko Gvardiol was denied in the 49th minute with a back post header from a corner by the face of Bernd Leno

Following City’s fast start to the second half, Fulham did have their moments. A scuffed Andreas Pereira shot in the 51st minute, and a driving Harry Wilson run 5 minutes later, which amounted to nothing courtesy of some good defending from Matheus Nunes, was the sum of their work.

From the hour mark to the 70th minute, there wasn’t a lot of action. Fulham looked to be growing into the game as the Manchester City players looked tired. But in the 70th minute, Manchester City would earn a penalty after Ilkay Gundogan was fouled by Sasa Lukic.

Erling Haaland doubles the lead with a quality penalty.

Erling Haaland stepped up to take the penalty. Haaland tucked away the penalty with ease to give Manchester City a 2-nil lead. He sent Bernd Leno the wrong way with a composed spot kick to double City’s lead in the 72nd minute.

Following Haaland’s goal, Fulham did have a spell of possession. Bur despite a quality save from Ederson from a cross, they couldn’t muster much of a threat to Manchester City’s goal.

Fulham would be denied a penalty as Ruben Dias was adjudged not to have handled a shot from Kenny Tete. But those types of handballs have been given before, so perhaps Manchester City got away with one in the 89th minute.

Ederson would deny Sander Berge in the 94th minute from a dangerous position after he was picked out on the edge of the City area by Ryan Sessegnon.

That would be the final moment of note from the game as Manchester City booked their place in next season’s Champions League with a 2-nil victory.

Manchester City player ratings

Ederson-10/10: A brilliant performance from Ederson. He made several crucial saves, and he was at his best throughout today’s match.

Matheus Nunes-8/10: Nunes defended well and got forward well throughout today’s match. He has come out of this season with credit as his performance today showed.

Manuel Akanji-7/10: I thought Akanji played and defended well over the course of the full 90 minutes.

Ruben Dias-7.5/10: I thought Dias put in one of his better performances for some time. Made some crucial blocks

Josko Gvardiol-6/10: Not his best performance as he wasn’t at his best at left-back.

Nico-8/10: A superb performance from Nico. He helped dictate the midfield battle, and his performance today bodes well for next season.

Ilkay Gundogan-8/10: He scored the opener and won City’s penalty. I thought he was one of Manchester City’s best players on the day.

Bernardo Silva-7/10: Another tireless performance from Bernardo. Over the past two months he has been Manchester City’s best player in my opinion.

Omar Marmoush-6/10: Had oopportunities, but either his finishing was just off or his first touch.

Jeremy Doku-6/10:Had his moments but either his end product or decision-making was lacking. Those are the two areas of his play that he must improve upon for next season.

Erling Haaland-7/10: Converted a crucial penalty and did his job well at Craven Cottage.

Substitutes

Savinho-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Phil Foden-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Kevin De Bruyne-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Claudio Echeverri-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.