Match Report and Player Ratings: Fulham 0-2 Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City did the business on the final day of the Premier League season to secure a top-three finish and UEFA Champions League football for the next campaign.

On a day that also marked an emotional end to Kevin De Bruyne’s stay at City, there was also plenty of work to be done with Pep Guardiola’s side firmly focussed on the task at hand to ensure their long-term future at the summit of European football was safe.

After a convincing win at home just days earlier against Bournemouth, Manchester City knew that just a single point would secure themselves a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, while a win would mean the club would finish in the Premier League’s top-three.

And it was the usual controlled manner of performance that got Manchester City underway at Craven Cottage, dominating possession and not looking as susceptible to Marco Silva’s side on the transition.

The deadlock was broken around the 20-minute mark when Nico Gonzalez picked out Matheus Nunes excellently with a cross-field ball from the centre circle, as the Portuguese international won his aerial battle before combining smartly with Omar Marmoush.

Having burst into the box and initially attempted a lobbed effort over Bernd Leno, the German goalkeeper’s save only fell in the direction of Ilkay Gundogan, who reacted instinctively to execute an overhead kick to perfection, crashing into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Jeremy Doku would go on to be a threat down the left-hand side for the remainder of the first-half for Manchester City, but their efforts would be relatively tame with Nico perhaps coming closest to doubling the advantage as he saw a rebound effort comfortably saved by Leno.

Ederson would not go all afternoon without being called into action himself as his most notable moment of the first 45 minutes came when he denied Harry Wilson an equalising goal on the counter-attack for the hosts, dropping down to his right with a low save.

Into the second 45 minutes and it was more smart play from Ilkay Gundogan to progress Manchester City in the contest, as the midfielder received the ball with his back to goal from Jeremy Doku once more, swivelling with pace inside the penalty area only to be hacked down.

This time there would be no last-minute changes when it came to the resulting penalty taker as Erling Haaland took control of proceedings from the spot, slotting the ball home into the bottom left corner as Leno dived the opposite way.

And then came the final moment in Sky Blue by arguably the club’s greatest ever player, as Kevin De Bruyne came on for the closing exchanges to bid farewell to Manchester City, the Premier League, and English football as a whole.

Following a final farewell from the 33-year-old to Manchester City fans and a victory to secure a place at the top table in European competition next season, here is how we rated the individual performances of Pep Guardiola’s players on show at Craven Cottage!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Ederson – 8

A clean sheet and numerous big saves at crucial moments in the game to protect Manchester City’s lead. Hopefully not the final time we see a true great of the goalkeeping industry starring for the club!

Matheus Nunes – 7.5

Another bright performance from the midfielder, who continues to impress when called-upon at right-back. While there are still defensive issues, his prowess going forward is possibly unrivalled in terms of City’s current right-back options.

Ruben Dias – 7

Rock solid at the back all afternoon, very little to write home about in terms of game-changing moments.

Manuel Akanji – 7

Similarly to Ruben Dias, it was a commendable showing from Manuel Akanji, as is usually the case. Alongside the rest of his defensive unit, a high rating for the clean sheet.

Josko Gvardiol – 7

Back into the left-back role for the Croatian and performing to a high standard once more. With a future more likely in the centre of the defence, was this a final farewell to the position?

Nico – 6.5

Once more, another strong performance from the Spaniard that makes you wonder why he hasn’t started more games for the club since January. Could have had a goal himself if it wasn’t for some excellent defensive work by Fulham.

Ilkay Gundogan – 9 (MOTM)

This was a true rolling back of the years from Ilkay Gundogan; shifting the ball on with pace, an eye for a forward pass, at the centre of our chance creation, magical inside the penalty area, and all this before we even mention the work to win a penalty and *that* overhead kick!

Omar Marmoush – 7

He’s just essential, really. At a time when many are calling out this Manchester City side for losing its energy, the Egyptian has brought that in abundance as well as a goal threat.

Bernardo Silva – 6.5

Nothing too much to write home about from Bernardo at Craven Cottage, but a strong performance nonetheless.

Erling Haaland – 7.5

A largely quiet afternoon for Erling Haaland, who really did find himself struggling to connect with Manchester City’s attacking phases of play. He did however seal the scoring with an expertly taken penalty to boost his ranking for us.

Jeremy Doku – 7

Much of Manchester City’s attacking threat came down the left and the Belgian also looked alive to counter-attacking possibilities. That final ball or eye for an effort himself really must improve though.

Substitutes

Savinho – 6

Nothing too much to mark for the Brazilian but a solid cameo appearance.

Phil Foden – No time to mark

Claudio Echeverri – No time to mark

Kevin De Bruyne – No time to mark