The match between Manchester City and Fulham started with intensity, as Manchester City sought to assert their dominance early on. Within the first two minutes, City earned a corner, a reflection of their attacking mindset. Erling Haaland, the talismanic striker, was heavily involved, missing two early chances in quick succession. A shot from Ilkay Gündogan, assisted by Haaland, and a through-ball from Phil Foden that set Haaland up for another attempt showcased City’s aggressive start. However, Fulham’s defense held firm, frustrating City’s forwards.
Fulham, though largely on the back foot, showed flashes of resistance. A free kick won by Raúl Jiménez after a foul by Rúben Dias highlighted Fulham’s counterattacking approach. The first major chance for Fulham came in the 13th minute, when Jiménez’s header missed narrowly following a corner, signaling that they were ready to exploit any gaps in City’s defense.
Missed Chances and Tactical Fouls
Throughout the half, Manchester City was relentless in their quest to break down Fulham’s defense. Haaland, despite his usual precision, was consistently denied, with his shots either missing or being saved by Fulham’s goalkeeper. By the 15th minute, Haaland’s powerful header from the center of the box was brilliantly saved, thanks to another accurate cross from Foden. Fulham’s defense, led by Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey, had their work cut out as they repeatedly conceded corners while holding off City’s attacking waves.
Fulham’s midfield, orchestrated by Andreas Pereira, managed to secure moments of possession, attempting to relieve the pressure. Pereira and Sander Berge were instrumental in securing free kicks and drawing fouls from City’s players, such as Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gündogan. These set pieces were vital in Fulham’s strategy of slowing down City’s fast-paced attack, allowing Fulham to reset and defend more effectively.
Key Moments: Fulham Strikes First
The breakthrough of the match came against the run of play in the 26th minute when Fulham stunned the Etihad crowd. Raúl Jiménez, who had been linking up well with Andreas Pereira throughout the half, provided an assist that allowed Pereira to slot home from close range, giving Fulham an unexpected 1-0 lead. This goal was a result of a quick counterattack, with Pereira showing excellent composure to beat Ederson.
Just when Fulham seemed to gain confidence, Manchester City responded quickly. A corner in the 32nd minute led to Mateo Kovacic firing in the equalizer, leveling the score at 1-1. Kovacic’s goal was a testament to City’s set-piece prowess, with Bernardo Silva’s delivery causing chaos in Fulham’s box. City was back in the game, and Fulham’s lead lasted only six minutes.
Late First-Half Drama: Near Misses and Tactical Adjustments
As the first half progressed, both teams continued to create chances. Manchester City ramped up the pressure after Kovacic’s goal, with Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and Josko Gvardiol all having shots blocked in quick succession. Fulham’s defense, though porous at times, continued to throw bodies on the line to keep City from extending their lead. Goalkeeper Bernd Leno made a vital save from a Gvardiol shot, ensuring Fulham remained level.
Fulham, however, did not simply sit back. They created opportunities of their own, with Jiménez and Alex Iwobi leading the charge. Jiménez’s shots, although not finding the target, were a constant reminder of Fulham’s threat on the break. The half ended with both teams locked at 1-1, but Manchester City would have felt they deserved more for their attacking efforts, while Fulham would have been content with their defensive resilience and opportunistic play.
A Thrilling Second Half: Kovacic Puts City Ahead Early
The second half began with the score level at 1-1, but it didn’t take long for Manchester City to regain control. Just two minutes into the half, Mateo Kovacic fired a brilliant right-footed shot from outside the box, finding the bottom left corner to give City a 2-1 lead. Bernardo Silva, once again the creative engine, assisted Kovacic’s goal, showcasing his superb vision.
Fulham’s defense was left scrambling after the goal, and the pressure was evident in their performance. Their attempt to regroup was interrupted by a series of fouls, with Antonee Robinson committing a crucial one in the 51st minute. Despite this, Fulham still had opportunities to respond, notably when Raúl Jiménez’s effort in the 54th minute was blocked, a rare glimpse of hope for the visitors.
City’s Substitutions and Tactical Shifts
In the 62nd minute, Manchester City made strategic changes, bringing on Jérémy Doku and Kyle Walker, replacing Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji. These substitutions injected fresh energy into the squad, and the impact was quickly noticeable. Doku, in particular, added a new dimension to City’s attack, while Walker provided defensive stability on the right flank.
Fulham responded with their own substitutions, hoping to shift the game’s momentum. The introduction of Tom Cairney and Emile Smith Rowe gave them a boost in midfield, but City continued to press. Phil Foden’s ambitious shot in the 59th minute missed the target, but the intent was clear—City was hungry for more goals. Fulham struggled to find rhythm, and a crucial yellow card for Calvin Bassey in the 64th minute added to their mounting frustration.
Doku’s Decisive Strike and Fulham’s Response
The breakthrough moment for Manchester City came in the 82nd minute when Jérémy Doku, the substitute, unleashed a stunning right-footed strike from outside the box. His shot rocketed into the high center of the goal, leaving Fulham’s goalkeeper with no chance. Rico Lewis provided the assist, capping off an excellent display from the young midfielder. City’s lead extended to 3-1, and it seemed like the game was firmly in their control.
However, Fulham was not done yet. Just six minutes later, Rodrigo Muniz scored a superb goal, a right-footed shot that flew into the top left corner after a perfect assist from Reiss Nelson. The goal brought Fulham back into the game at 3-2 and set up a tense finish. Despite Fulham’s efforts, they could not find another breakthrough, as Manchester City held firm in the closing minutes.
Closing Drama: City’s Discipline and Fulham’s Final Push
The final minutes of the match were filled with drama, with both teams fighting until the last second. In the 90th minute, Jérémy Doku won a crucial free kick after a foul by Fulham’s Sasa Lukic. The fourth official announced five minutes of added time, giving Fulham a glimmer of hope, but City remained organized. A corner won by Fulham in the 92nd minute raised the tension, but they couldn’t convert the opportunity.
Tempers flared late in the game, with Ederson receiving a yellow card for his involvement in a foul. Bernardo Silva followed suit in the 95th minute, also receiving a booking for his protest after a foul on Rico Lewis. Despite Fulham’s final push, Manchester City’s defense held strong, and the match ended 3-2, securing a hard-fought victory for the reigning Premier League champions.
This victory not only highlighted City’s attacking prowess but also showcased their ability to manage pressure, particularly in the face of Fulham’s late surge. For Fulham, it was a spirited performance, but defensive lapses and missed chances ultimately cost them a valuable point.
