In a pulsating Premier League clash at the Etihad, Manchester City narrowly defeated Fulham 3-2 on Sunday, continuing their impressive unbeaten streak. It was a game that had everything—unexpected twists, stunning goals, and nail-biting moments that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Fulham’s Early Shock
Fulham, under the leadership of Marco Silva, stunned everyone by taking an unexpected lead in the first half. Andreas Pereira, the former Manchester United man, opened the scoring in the 27th minute after latching onto an audacious assist from Raul Jimenez.
The Mexican forward pulled off a magical backheel to take two City defenders out of the play, allowing Pereira to fire home from close range. The visitors were ahead, and for a moment, it seemed like Fulham could pull off a surprise.
It could have been worse for City. Fulham had another golden chance to double their lead when Adama Traore found himself with a clear opportunity to score. However, his miss kept the door open for City to make a swift response.
Kovacic Brings City Back to Life
As expected, Pep Guardiola’s men didn’t take long to respond. Just five minutes after going behind, Mateo Kovacic pulled City level with a rocket of a shot. Ilkay Gundogan’s corner was only half-cleared by Fulham, and the Croatian midfielder was lurking at the edge of the box. His powerful strike found the back of the net, courtesy of a deflection, igniting City’s revival.
City came out of the dressing room with renewed vigor in the second half, and within minutes of the restart, they had turned the game on its head. Kovacic was at it again, this time curling a beautiful effort into the far corner after being set up by Bernardo Silva. Fulham’s defense, which had been holding strong, was suddenly in disarray.
Doku Seals the Deal… Almost
As City continued to dominate possession, they seemed to be in complete control of the game. Then came the moment that looked to seal the win for the champions. In the 82nd minute, Jeremy Doku, a constant menace down the left wing, cut inside and unleashed a swerving shot from 20 yards out that flew into the top corner.
Fulham’s goalkeeper had no chance, and City were cruising at 3-1. Rico Lewis also deserves credit, as his intelligent run helped distract Fulham’s defense, giving Doku the space he needed to shoot.
Fulham’s Late Fightback
Just when it seemed like City had secured the points, Fulham mounted a late charge. Substitute Rodrigo Muniz brought the visitors back into contention with a composed finish in the 88th minute, rifling the ball into the top corner after a well-placed pass from Reiss Nelson. City fans were left biting their nails as Fulham pressed for an equalizer in the dying moments of the game.
Despite the pressure, City held on to their lead, securing the victory and extending their unbeaten run in the Premier League to an impressive 30 games—a club record.
Man City’s Dominance Continues
With this victory, City remain unbeaten in 50 consecutive home matches across all competitions, a run that stretches back to before the 2022 World Cup. Despite the late scare from Fulham, Pep Guardiola’s side once again demonstrated their resilience, showing why they are the reigning Premier League champions.
The win keeps City within touching distance of Liverpool in the race for the top spot, while Fulham can take pride in their strong showing despite the loss. The Cottagers, currently sixth in the league, have made a solid start to the season and will look to build on this performance in the coming weeks.
Key Moments of the Match
- Pereira’s Goal (27th min): Raul Jimenez dazzles with a backheel assist, and Pereira volleys home to give Fulham the lead.
- Kovacic’s First Goal (32nd min): Fulham’s failure to clear a corner allows Kovacic to equalize with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
- Kovacic’s Second Goal (47th min): A slick City move ends with Kovacic curling a shot into the far corner, putting City 2-1 up.
- Doku’s Thunderbolt (82nd min): The Belgian winger cuts inside and scores a stunning third to seemingly secure the win for City.
- Muniz’s Consolation Goal (88th min): Fulham’s late effort through Muniz sets up a nervy finish, but City hold on for the win.
Match Stats
- Possession: Man City 58%-42% Fulham
- Shots: Man City 20-11 Fulham
- Shots on Target: Man City 7-4 Fulham
- Corners: Man City 8-3 Fulham
- Fouls: Man City 4-10 Fulham
Manchester City showed why they are one of the most formidable teams in Europe, overcoming a tough Fulham side to claim all three points. Kovacic’s brilliance in midfield was a major highlight, while Doku continues to prove why he’s an exciting addition to the squad. Fulham, despite the loss, will take confidence from their performance, especially their late fightback, and will aim to bounce back stronger in the next fixture.
For City, the march towards another Premier League title continues, and their unbeaten streak only grows longer. But for Fulham, they leave Manchester knowing they gave the champions a real scare, and that will bode well for their future encounters.