2024-10-05 22:35:03
Manchester City will want to avoid any more slip ups when they host Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side remain unbeaten in the league with the same number of points as Arsenal, but have dropped points in two successive matches.
City have struggled in the absence of Rodri, who sustained an ACL injury ruling him out for the rest of the season, and Kevin De Bruyne who could make his return against Fulham.
But City will be hoping their dominant 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions LEague has had a similar effect on their league form.
Fulham have started the season in solid form, currently in sixth after winning three and losing just one of their opening six matches.
Follow all the live action in the blog below:
Man City take on Fulham in the Premier League
88’ GOAL! Rodrigo Muniz pulls one back (MCI 3-2 FUL)
82’ GOAL! Jeremy Doku makes it three (MCI 3-1 FUL)
47’ GOAL! Kovacic adds a second for City (MCI 2-1 FUL)
32’ GOAL! Mateo Kovacic fizzes in equaliser (MCI 1-1 FUL)
26’ GOAL! Andreas Pereira flicks Fulham into lead (MCI 0-1 FUL)
Manchester City FC 3 – 2 Fulham FC
17:03
Manchester City rack up a club-record equalling 30th Premier League game without defeat, as the Premier League champions edge out an enterprising Fulham side, winning 3-2 at the Etihad. A double strike from Kovacic ultimately proved decisive, as the influential midfielder equalised after Andreas Pereira had given the Cottagers a shock lead, then fired home a brilliant second shortly after the break. Second-half substitute Doku later lashed home City’s third, before a late goal from Rodrigo Muniz offered Fulham some hope of snatching a point. City – who finished with an inferior xG of 1.55 to their visitors’ 2.4 – sit second in the table, level with Arsenal and just one point behind leaders Liverpool. They will resume with a game against Wolves after the international break; meanwhile, Fulham host Aston Villa next time out. That’s all from today’s live coverage, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
16:55
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 3-2 FULHAM
16:54
Yellow Card Bernardo Mota Veiga de Carvalho e Silva
16:51
Yellow Card Ederson Santana de Moraes
16:51
There are to be at least five added minutes for stoppages at the end of this match, so Fulham can still hope to grab a late leveller.
16:47
Substitution İlkay Gündoğan Matheus Luiz Nunes
16:47
Fulham are back on the ball, dominating possession, but they surely know that the chance to salvage something from this game has gone. It’s been a persistent display from the Cottagers, but they’ve just lacked precision in the opposition box.
16:45
Manchester City have now scored five goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half this season, more than any other team in the Premier League. That killer instinct sets them apart from the rest.
16:41
Assist Rico Henry Mark Lewis
16:40
Goal Jérémy Baffour Doku
16:40
It’s all Fulham now, as the Premier League champions sit back and defend, hoping to preserve their slim advantage. Whatever the final result, Marco Silva’s men will come out of this game with immense credit – they certainly belong towards the top end of the table.
16:36
Substitution Philip Walter Foden John Stones
16:36
Gvardiol has to lunge in to block Jimenez inside City’s area, clearing his lines with a crucial challenge. Marco Silva is readying more substitutes, as he perhaps senses that a point could be up for grabs here.
16:36
Substitution Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez Rodrigo Muniz Carvalho
16:36
Substitution Kenny Joelle Tete Timothy Castagne
16:35
Substitution Alexander Chuka Iwobi Reiss Luke Nelson
16:34
Another spell of pressure ends when Iwobi’s low ball into Jimenez just escapes from the Mexican striker, who looked poised to strike from the edge of the area. Cue frustrated groans from the away fans.
16:33
Fulham continue to probe around their hosts’ penalty area, but Robinson and then Traore are both kept at arm’s length by City defenders. Marco Silva is urging his side on from the touchline – they proved during the first half that they can pose plenty of problems.
16:30
For the first time in the second half, Fulham are enjoying an extended spell of possession. It’s all in their own half, however, and City are happy to sit back and stay compact in their team shape.
16:28
SAVE! Ederson foils Traore again! The latter is set free down the left and arrows in on goal, but his Brazilian counterpart is quick to narrow the angle and smothers a close-range shot with a crucial save! City are still vulnerable to the counter-attack.
16:25
CLOSE! Lewis controls the ball brilliantly and fires a first-time volley towards the target from 20 yards out, but it’s kept from sneaking into the net by an inadvertent touch from Haaland! His intervention sees the ball travel wide by a matter of inches – unlucky!
16:24
Substitution Sander Gard Bolin Berge Thomas Cairney
16:24
Substitution Andreas Hugo Hoelgebaum Pereira Emile Smith Rowe
16:22
Yellow Card Calvin Chinedu Bassey
16:21
Substitution Jack Peter Grealish Jérémy Baffour Doku
16:20
Substitution Manuel Obafemi Akanji Kyle Andrew Walker
16:20
Again teeing up a team-mate on the edge of the area, Bernardo Silva lays a pass off for Foden, who fires over the crossbar from around 20 yards out. It was always rising.
16:18
Now in total control – albeit with just a one-goal advantage – Manchester City’s chances of claiming maximum points are 87% according to Opta’s live win-predictor. Fulham? Just 2%.
16:17
Rising to the challenge of replacing Rodri in the champions’ midfield, Kovacic has not only scored twice today but he’s also dictating play, picking the ball up from his defence and spraying it around confidently.
16:15
Grealish tries to pick out Haaland with a cross into the box from the left flank, but Robinson is alert and heads it away. Fulham can’t full clear their lines, though, and City’s constant pressure resumes.
16:13
Since half-time, Manchester City’s share of the ball has been a remarkable 87%. They are patiently probing around Fulham’s area, and the away side are not able to escape on the break like they did before the interval.
16:11
City’s dominance of this second half continues, as Foden fires over a cross from the right and Haaland slightly mistimes his jump before heading the ball off target. That was well wide, but the hosts have stepped up several gears since the break – Guardiola will have made his thoughts quite clear.
16:10
Kovacic has scored his third goal in the Premier League this season – already a new career high. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva has now set up three this term, and he has assisted four goals in eight top-flight appearances against Fulham.
16:05
Goal Mateo Kovačić
16:04
Manchester City kick off, and we are back under way at the Etihad!
16:00
Should Manchester City merely avoid defeat today, they would extend their remarkable unbeaten home record to 50 matches, becoming just the fourth English top-flight team to reach that milestone, after Liverpool (85 between 1978-1981), Chelsea (74, 2006-2008; then 58, 2004-2006) and Sunderland (50, 1890-1893). However, as things stand they would slip three points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool going into the international break.
15:56
A brave first-half performance by Fulham sees the London club on level terms with Premier League champions Manchester City, as the half-time whistle blows with score at 1-1. After absorbing plenty of early pressure – with Gundogan and Haaland both missing good chances – the Cottagers struck first, when a moment of magic from Jimenez set up Pereira’s close-range finish. City bit back soon after, as Kovacic crashed in a low shot from the edge of the area following a corner. A wide-open encounter is reflected by both teams’ xG, with Fulham on 1.35 to their hosts’ 1.17 so far. Perhaps today is the day City’s long winning run over their capital-city counterparts finally ends?
15:49
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 FULHAM
15:49
There will be just one minute of stoppage time added to the end of this first half, so Fulham’s job is almost done.
15:47
Having been quite bold over the preceeding 20 minutes, Fulham are back in numbers now, aiming to keep the scoreline level until half-time. They surely deserve to been on equal terms at the break.
15:46
MISS! After making his way to the left byline, Grealish stands up a lovely ball towards Bernardo Silva at the back post. The midfield maestro ghosts into the perfect position to finish, but his header loops over the far post and out of play! That should’ve hit the target!
15:44
While Fulham may have only had half as many shots – and attempts on target – as their opponents so far, they have increased their possession share by almost 15% over the past 20 minutes. It’s impressive stuff from the Cottagers.
15:42
Fulham are pushing hard for a second goal before the break, as Jimenez has a scuffed shot blocked by Kovacic, then City are forced to concede a corner. Marco Silva must be delighted with how his team are playing today: ususally they excel at Craven Cottage, but they’re taking the challenge to England’s dominant side in Manchester.
15:39
Following City’s latest corner, Fulham break at speed again, confidently committing bodies forward in numbers. So far, they’ve caused their hosts plenty of problems in that manner; this time, it all comes to nothing.
15:38
The hosts have got their tails up now, as Foden and then Lewis see shots blocked by Bassey inside Fulham’s area. Then, Gvardiol tests Leno with a low effort which seems to be creeping wide, but the German goalkeeper still tips it behind for a corner.
15:34
Fulham have actually registered three of their four Premier League wins over Manchester City at the Etihad, albeit their most recent victory there was way back in April 2009, under Roy Hodgson. Can they do it again today, more than 15 years later?
15:33
Goal Mateo Kovačić
15:33
CLOSE! Fulham counter again, and Iwobi spins his marker before setting up a 10-yard strike for Traore. The winger can’t keep his effort on target, though, and despite beating Ederson he also lifts the ball over the crossbar! City are living dangerously here!
15:28
Assist Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez
15:27
Goal Andreas Hugo Hoelgebaum Pereira
15:26
After Tete charges upfield, past several tame challenges, Robinson swings over a low cross from the left; Lewis reads it and cuts out the danger, allowing Ederson to take back possession.
15:24
A 25-yard free-kick from a central position is taken short to Lewis, who then tries to switch play but spectacularly fails. It’s another wasted set-piece situation for the hosts, who have lost a little of their early momentum.
15:23
Manchester City’s long winning run over Fulham continued when they last met, when the reigning Premier League champions cruised to a 4-0 victory at Craven Cottage towards the end of last season. So far today, though, they’ve been kept at bay.
15:19
SAVE! Ederson keeps the scores level! Powering his way past Lewis just outside the area, Traore almost finishes off a rapid Fulham counter-attack. He works his way clear through on goal, but Ederson races off his line to make a sharp stop! Great goalkeeping, but the Fulham winger should’ve scored!
15:17
Bassey blocks a threatening low cross from the right byline, before Foden’s inswinging corner is met by Haaland at the back post. Under pressure, the latter can only guide his tame header straight at Leno. City are getting ever closer to making their 73% share of possession pay.
15:14
After Iwobi’s hopeful shot from a wide angle on the right is deflected behind, Fulham’s subsequent corner is met by a leap from Jimenez. He can’t control his header, though, and City clear their lines.
15:13
A rare foray upfield by Fulham results in Jimenez winning a free-kick from Ruben Dias, who holds his opponent back. However, it comes to nothing, and Manchester City resume their total dominance of possession.
15:11
Once again, Foden tees up Haaland on the edge of the area. This time City’s star striker opens up an angle to shoot, but his low effort is slightly scuffed and runs straight towards Leno, who gathers the ball safely.
15:10
Haaland steps up to the free-kick and drives it low and hard; however, it thuds into Bernardo Silva, who was placed on the ground in front of Fulham’s defensive wall. The hosts have made a mess of that set-piece routine.
15:08
Lukic pulls Lewis back by the shirt and concedes a free-kick in dangerous territory, but he avoids a booking. City will have a chance to strike at goal from around 20 yards out, in a central position.
15:07
JUST WIDE! Now Haaland comes close! Played in by a precise Foden throughball, the Norwegian striker takes aim but angles his low shot narrowly wide of the right-hand post! Fulham escape again!
15:06
CLOSE! Gundogan misses a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring, firing wide of the right-hand post when left in space near the penalty spot! That’s a great opportunity spurned!
15:05
Gundogan finds Haaland on the right byline, and the latter’s cutback is blocked behind for Man City’s first corner. Akanji attacks the cross, but commits a foul and concedes a free-kick to Fulham.
15:02
Fulham kick off, and we are under way in Manchester!
15:02
Emerging into the sunshine from the tunnel, both teams are out on the pitch, and kick-off is now just moments away!
14:58
Making just one change to the XI that started in Nottingham last week, Fulham boss Marco Silva brings Berge into midfield, replacing Smith Rowe. After scoring three goals in as many games, Jimenez starts up front; fellow striker Carlos Vinicius is sidelined by a calf injury.
14:53
After making six changes in midweek, Guardiola recalls several senior stars, including goalkeeper Ederson and centre-back Ruben Dias. There is only one switch from the draw with Newcastle last week, though: Foden replaces Walker, with Lewis starting at right-back. Once again City will be without Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Nathan Ake and Kevin De Bruyne due to injury.
14:48
SUBS: Steven Benda, Harrison Reed, Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz, Tom Cairney, Reiss Nelson, Timothy Castagne, Issa Diop, Emile Smith Rowe.
14:48
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson; Sander Berge, Sasa Lukic; Adama Traore, Andreas Pereira, Alex Iwobi; Raul Jimenez.
14:42
SUBS: Stefan Ortega, Scott Carson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Matheus Nunes, James McAtee.
14:42
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol; Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan; Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish; Erling Haaland.
14:37
Fulham have made their best start to a Premier League campaign since 2003, accruing 11 points so far to claim sixth place in the table – just three points behind today’s hosts. Since losing to Manchester United on the opening weekend, the Cottagers have put together a five-game unbeaten run in the English top flight, winning both of their last two matches. After beating Newcastle 3-1, last week they edged out Nottingham Forest, winning 1-0 at the City Ground thanks to a Raul Jimenez penalty.
14:37
After being held to their second successive Premier League draw by Newcastle United last week, Manchester City then returned to winning ways with a comfortable success against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. On the domestic front, Pep Guardiola’s side sit four points behind leaders Liverpool after the Reds beat Crystal Palace in today’s early kick-off, so they will be keen to continue their dominance over Fulham. City have won each of the clubs’ last 16 meetings across all competitions – the longest winning run one team has had over another throughout English football league history.
14:32
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today’s Premier League clash between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad Stadium!
13:49 , Sonia Twigg
Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Bassey, Andersen, Robinson, Lukic, Iwobi, Berge, Pereira, Traore, Jimenez.
13:49 , Sonia Twigg
Man City made a few changes for the trip to Slovan Bratislava, but have only made one from the draw at Newcastle last weekend.
Phil Foden replaces Kyle Walker, with Rico Lewis expected to play at right back.
Man City XI: Ederson, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Lewis, Kovacic, Gundogan, Silva, Grealish, Foden, Haaland.
13:00
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