Fulham vs Manchester City LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Craven Cottage
Follow live coverage as Fulham face Manchester City today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Fulham vs Manchester City
With Fulham likely to see a bit more of the ball after the restart as they look to claw back a result, one of Willian or Iwobi could be useful on the flank instead of Traore to facilitate a bit more creativity. Vinicius could also be an option instead of or alongside Jimenez, whose 10 touches in the first half was more than only Haaland. We may get one last glimpse at De Bruyne in a Manchester City kit in the second period in place of either Silva or Gundogan, while Rodri could also come into midfield as he works his way back to full fitness ahead of the Club World Cup following a lengthy injury layoff.
Fulham vs Manchester City
Looking to confirm their Champions League status, Manchester City capitalised on their early momentum to take a 1-0 lead into the half-time interval at Craven Cottage, though Fulham certainly found their feet after a nervy opening period. Even though a draw is good enough for the visitors’ aims, Guardiola’s team looked desperate for a win from the opening kick-off, dominating possession while denying their opponents a kick. Gundogan broke the deadlock in sensational style after 21 minutes with a superb overhead-kick following Leno’s one-handed save on Nunes, which appeared to signal the opening of the floodgates, but Fulham responded in impressive style, controlling more of the ball while forcing Ederson into a couple of smart stops. Cairney and Wilson both had chances to equalise from inside the 18-yard box but tight defending and good work from the goalkeeper denied the hosts a goal, despite an xG total of 0.97 (compared to Manchester City’s 1.25).
Fulham vs Manchester City
The fourth official indicates one minute will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.
Fulham vs Manchester City
GOOD SAVE FOLLOWED BY SIDE-NETTING! Cairney spreads the play out to the right for an isolated Wilson, who brings the ball down with his chest and gets into the penalty area before curling a trademark left-footed effort to the far post. Ederson dives across his line and manages to get a hand to it but can only push it as far as Pereira, whose off-balance follow-up effort finds the side-netting from an acute angle!
Fulham vs Manchester City
Doku shows off his pace, easing past both Lukic and Andersen on his way into the 18-yard box before playing an unselfish pass across to the other side for Marmoush. The Egypt international has his effort blocked from close range by Robinson but the rebound bounces out kindly to Nico, whose half-volley from the edge of the area is gathered by Leno.
Fulham vs Manchester City
Gvardiol’s switch of play from left to right picks out Marmoush and allows him to take on Robinson at the edge of the penalty area. Using both feet, the clever winger beats his man and drives towards the byline before playing a cross across the face of goal, where it’s turned behind for a corner by Andersen.
Fulham vs Manchester City
After a difficult opening 20 minutes to the match, Fulham have been able to keep hold of the ball a little more, and force Ederson into a couple of key interventions. The hosts will need to play on the front foot more now that the visitors have the lead and will be less susceptible to the counter-attack, as they have less incentive to pour forward and leave gaps exposed at the back.
Fulham vs Manchester City
CLOSE TO THE EQUALISER! Wilson drives to the edge of the penalty area before playing a pass forward towards the byline for the overlapping Traore. The winger keeps it in play and chips a cross towards the penalty spot, where Cairney’s volleyed finish is blocked by a defender just ahead of Ederson. Pereira gets the rebound and sets up the captain for second try but he once again fails to test the goalkeeper, sending a skipping shot wide of the far post!
Fulham vs Manchester City
Silva opts to go long from his latest corner, putting the ball into the six-yard box, where it’s headed away by Lukic. Looking to break on the counter, Wilson latches onto it but he’s bundled to the ground by Marmoush, who takes his opponent down involuntarily after slipping on the pitch to concede a free-kick.
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