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Man City secure Champions League spot with victory over Fulham

Erling Haaland scored a 71st minute penalty to seal Manchester City's win. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Premier League: Fulham 0 Manchester City 2

EIGHT days after his surprising failure to take a penalty in Manchester City’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, Erling Haaland scored from the spot to wrap up the victory that secured a place in next season’s Champions League, their sole remaining target after a first trophyless season in eight years.

Tuesday’s victory over Bournemouth meant Pep Guardiola’s side headed for Fulham for what the manager described as “by far the most important game of the season” needing a point to ensure a place in the top five.

They saw out the job with relative ease, going ahead in the 21st minute through Ilkay Gundogan’s spectacular overhead kick before Haaland displayed the composure that had eluded teammate Omar Marmoush at Wembley last weekend to send Bernd Leno the wrong way.

With victory assured, Guardiola introduced Kevin De Bruyne from the bench in the 85th minute for the midfielder’s final appearance for the club before his summer departure.

Jack Grealish meanwhile was missing from his matchday squad with the City manager explaining his decision to leave the 29-year-old - who was the last to leave De Bruyne’s farewell party on Wednesday - as “selection”, adding to the doubts surrounding the winger’s future.

Guardiola could have no complaints about the way his side approached the task in hand with the visitors in complete control of the opening 20 minutes. Fulham were unable to get any kind of foothold in the game although City were guilty of failing to translate their dominance into clear chances until Gundogan made the 21st minute breakthrough in spectacular fashion.

Omar Marmoush’s header allowed Matheus Nunes to drive into the Fulham penalty area before attempting to lift the ball over Bernd Leno. The Fulham keeper reacted well to save but the ball looped towards the far post where Gundogan produced a superb overhead kick to beat Leno via the underside of the bar for his first league goal of the season.

After a one-sided opening, the expectation was that Gundogan’s goal would not be City’s last but the opening effort had the effect of finally stirring Fulham into life. Marco Silva’s side suddenly began to press forward with more confidence, drawing Ederson into the action when the City keeper was twice forced to save from Harry Wilson. And had Tom Cairney not placed his shot just wide of the post, the home side may well have reached half-time on level terms.

Guardiola’s side returned from the break apparently anxious to remove any doubt about the outcome but were denied when Josko Gvardiol directed a header into Leno’s face from close range. Fulham again threatened but the contest was effectively over in the 71st minute when Haaland sent Leno the wrong way after Sasa Lukic had tripped Gundogan.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno 7; Tete 6, Andersen 8, Cuenca 7, Robinson 6; Lukic 7 (Berge 85,6), Cairney 7 (King 73,6); Wilson 7 (Iwobi, 61,6), Pereira 6 (Smith Rowe 61,6), Traore 6 (Sessegnon 73,6); Jimenez 5.

Subs not used: Benda, Bassey, Willian, Vinicius.

MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Ederson 6; Nunes 7, Akanji 6, Dias 7, Gvardiol 6; Gonzalez 6, Gundogan 7 (De Bruyne 85,6); Silva 6, Marmoush 6 (Foden 82,6), Doku 7 (Savinho 73,6); Haaland 6 (Echeverri 85,6).

Subs not used: Ortega, Ake, Rodri, O'Reilly, Lewis.

Referee: Andrew Madley 6