Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League table, as they beat Fulham 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at the Etihad, thanks to a last minute penalty from Erling Haaland.
Following on from their final UEFA Champions League group game on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola’s side were back in Premier League action this afternoon for their penultimate league game before the World Cup break.
The Blues took an early lead, after Ilkay Gundogan slipped through an inch-perfect ball to Julian Alvarez who finished in an Aguero-like fashion past a hopeless Bernd Leno.
Advert
Nevertheless, City’s lead didn’t last long. Just 11 minutes later, Fulham had an equaliser after they were awarded a penalty.
Joao Cancelo shrugged Harry Wilson to the floor, inside the area, and was further punished with a red-card.
Andreas Perriera scored the penalty for the Cottagers.
After the break, and the introduction of Haaland, the hosts thought they had a second.
Advert
Kevin De Bruyne whipped a delicious ball into the area with the Norwegian glancing the ball into the net - VAR however ruled the goal to be marginally offside.
As the final whistle loomed and a draw look almost certain, City were awarded a penalty.
De Bruyne was brought down and substitute Haaland bagged an added time winner.
Here is how we rated the Blue’s individual performances!
Advert
Starting XI:
Ederson - 7
Calm on the ball and the usually great distribution, Ederson was solid. Let down by his defenders for the goal.
Advert
John Stones - 7
Solid display at right-back, holding down Fulham’s left-flank and contributed well on the ball too.
Manuel Akanji - 6.5
Did well on the ball, but the Swiss didn’t look his usual self defensively.
Advert
Nathan Ake - 6.5
Initially starting at centre-back, the Dutchman was moved out to left-back following Cancelo’s red-card.
Should have done better when defending the ball that resulted in the eventual penalty.
Joao Cancelo - 3
As harsh as it may seem, the full-back gave away the penalty for Fulham’s equaliser and was sent off for his efforts. Not a good day at the office.
Rodri - 8 (MOTM)
Another player who was asked to shift position as a result of Cancelo’s dismissal, but was once again excellent!
So composed and calm on the ball, the Spaniard also defended magnificently.
Kevin De Bruyne - 8
The Belgium showed excellent work rate all game, and sprinkled his magic too for City’s offside goal. Won the penalty too, just to top things off.
Ilkay Gundogan - 7.5
Controlled the tempo of the game well and played a superb ball through to Alvarez for City’s goal.
Bernardo Silva - 7.5
Another City player that kept the ball well but struggled slightly in the final third.
Although Silva was employed in a deeper role for the majority of the game. His work rate, like De Bruyne, was astonishing.
Julian Alvarez - 8
Alvarez finished the first goal excellently just like against Sevilla, further proving Erling Haaland isn’t the only reliable finisher within the City squad. Other than that, his build up play was impressive too, constantly linking up with his teammates.
Jack Grealish - 5
Nothing special from Grealish today. The Englishman really struggled to get into the game or make any difference.
Substitutes:
Erling Haaland - 8
Back fit from a foot injury, Haaland came on for Alvarez in the 64th minute. The Norweigan grabbed what he thought was the winner, with a great header, but VAR deemed it offside.
That wouldn’t stop him scoring though with Haaland smashing home a penalty right at the death, giving the Premier League champions all three points.
Phil Foden - 5.5
Didn’t create anything or make any impact in the 30 minutes he had off the bench.
Topics: Manchester City, Fulham, Premier League, Erling Haaland, Joao Cancelo, Rodri
Tom Cayless