Fulham 0–2 Manchester City Player Ratings: Gundogan’s Volley and Haaland’s Penalty Seals City’s Spot in the Top Three

Manchester City bagged a 2-0 comprehensive win against Fulham to end their otherwise poor season on a high. Fulham took on a waned away Manchester City side at the Craven Cottage on the final matchday of the English Premier League 2024/25 season, on 25th May 2025. With City fighting for a top four spot, the stakes were high after a below par season by their standards. 10th place Fulham had a fair season under Marco Silva, as they played their last game of the season against last year's champions.

The visitors started well with their possession game, as Gundogan and Gonzalez pulled the strings from the midfield. Marmoush came close with a freekick in the in the 6th minute as failed to get the required dip on the ball at the right time. Fulham held their lines well until the 21st minutes, as Gonazlez's across-the-field ball for Nunez was well received by the Portuguese, who played a quick one-to with Marmoush before barging into the box and tried to chip Leno. The goalkeeper deflected it, only to find Gundogan at the far post who provided an exquisite overhead finish to give Manchester City the lead. However, the goal went for a possible offside check which stood the test of VAR.

Fulham slowly grew into the game as Harry Wilson came close with an effort in the 26th minute from the corner of the right-hand side of the box, which forced Ederson to make a good save. Andreas Pereira was quite lively with the ball, as he once passed a beautiful ball from the right flank for Harry Wilson, which Ederson took care of after brilliantly coming off his line. The Brazilian goalkeeper was again tasted with a similar situation when Pereira played a lovely, volleyed ball for Traore go through but again came out on top.

In the second half, Fulham started well with a lot of crosses into the box. Wilson and Traore made the City defenders work a bit, but the last editions champions held their nerves quite well. Gundogan was again in the mix of things, as he won a penalty in the 71st minute. Lukic put in rash challenge as the German tip-toed his way past the defenders in the box. Erling Haaland stepped up in place of Marmoush and slotted it past Leno to bring up his 22nd goal of the season. Ryan Sessegnon and Joshu King both came close, but Dias and Akanji were on hand to deal with any kind of Fulham danger.

De Bruyne was brough in the 86th minute as the whole of Craven Cottage sang in unison for the player's legendary career in the Premier League.

Fulham Player Ratings vs Manchester City

GK - Bernd Leno- 6/10

Could have done better on Nunes' effort. Made a couple of good saves to make up for his mistake.

RB- Kenny Tete- 6/10

Was always kept on bis feet by the lively Doku, got the better of him at times and created issues within the box for the Fulham defense. Cleared quite a few balls as well.

CB- Joachim Andersen- 6/10

Headed away a couple of dangerous crosses from Nunes, was solid at the back.

CB- Jorge Cuenca- 6/10

Except for the Gundogan goal, had nothing much to worry about.

LB- Antonee Robinson- 6/10

Played high up the pitch at times, put in a good cross into the City box which Gvardiol cleared.

DM - Tom Cairney 5/10

Kept busy Nico Gonzalez, who made quite a few darting runs into the box.

DM- Sasa Lukic- 4.5/10

Had difficulty dealing with Gundogan but put in his foot at a time or two when the time raised.

LW- Adama Traore- 6/10

Used his pace well to get pressurize and get behind the City defenders. Gave away the ball too cheaply at time near his own penalty box.

CAM- Andreas Pereira- 5/10

Played an important role in the midfield as his passing flourished prominently in and around City's penalty box.

RW- Harry Wilson - 6/10

Had a couple of good chances which were carried away by Ederson, was always on his feet on the right flank.

ST- Raul Jimenez- 6/10

Dropped deep at times and held the ball, played a few neat one-touches with his teammates around.

SUB - Emile Smith Rowe 5/10

SUB - Alex Iwobi 5/10

SUB - Joshua King 5/10

SUB - Ryan Sessegnon 5/10

SUB - Sander Berge- NA

Manager- Marco Silva - 4.5/10

Set up his team well to counter City's press, as Fulham held on to a number of dangerous City attacks quite efficiently. Made quick substitutions when things weren't going his way, but his players slowly faded away from the game.

Manchester City Player Ratings vs Fulham

GK- Ederson - 7/10

Came off his line quickly couple of times and made two good saves against Wilson.

RB- Matheus Nunes- 6/10

Ran up and won the right wing and had a flurry of crosses at a phase, which largely failed to find a City player.

CB- Ruben Dias- 7/10

Came in handy with a couple of good blocks, held the defensive line well and prevented Traore being one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

CB- Manuel Akanji- 6/10

Supported his captain quite well enough, thwarted a good number of dangerous Fulham attacks.

LB- Josko Gvardiol- 6/10

Defended the left side well, had a couple of good clearances, taking the sting out of the crosses at the right time.

DM - Ilkay Gundogan- 8/10

Scored a wonderful overhead kick which proved to be a decisive moment in the match. Played freely all around the park providing and switched the play quite brilliantly.

DM- Nico Gonzalez- 7/10

Gonzalez was as lively as his partner, making darting runs into the box whenever he got the ball. Hit a couple of good shots from outside the box but straight to the goalkeeper.

LW- Jeremy Doku- 6/10

Doku had a good outing on the left-hand side, getting the better of Fulham's right back Tete as he put the defender on his blind-side quite a few times.

CAM- Omar Marmoush- 6/10

Marmoush was trying his best to get on the scoresheet as he registered 6 shots, but majority of them were either off target or blocked well by the Fulham defense.

RW- Bernardo Silva - 7/10

Cut in and supplied few acute balls in and around the box, held the ball well and kept rotating the play all around the park.

ST- Erling Haaland- 7/10

Didn't get much supply in the box, had a chance which he headed wide off the left post of the goalkeeper. Scored the penalty calmly and gave his team the much-needed cushion.

SUB - Savinho - 5/10

SUB - Phil Foden - 5/10

SUB - Claudio Echeverri - 5/10

SUB - Kevin De Bruyne - NA

Manager- Pep Guardiola - 7/10

Sticked to his usual plan with two the two DM-system working efficiently for him. Brought out his substitutions at the right time and gave De Bruyne a lovely much deserved send off.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match: Ilkay Gundogan