In a sun-drenched finale at Craven Cottage on Sunday, May 25, Manchester City clinched a crucial 2-0 win against Fulham to secure their place in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. The victory, driven by a stunning overhead kick from Ilkay Gundogan and a clinical penalty by Erling Haaland, ensured Pep Guardiola’s side finished third in the Premier League, capping a challenging season with a positive note despite relinquishing their title. For Fulham, the defeat marked the end of a commendable campaign, with the Cottagers finishing 11th, their best-ever Premier League points tally, though their European hopes had faded in recent weeks.
The match began with Manchester City asserting their dominance early, knowing a single point would likely suffice for Champions League qualification. In the 20th minute, Gundogan showcased his enduring quality, latching onto a pinpoint cross to execute a breathtaking overhead kick that left Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno with no chance. The goal, a moment of brilliance, set the tone for City’s control, with their possession-based game stifling Fulham’s attempts to build momentum. Despite the Cottagers’ reputation for second-half comebacks—having won five matches from behind at halftime this season—they struggled to penetrate City’s resolute defense, anchored by Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol.
Fulham showed flashes of resistance, particularly after the interval. Manager Marco Silva, whose future remains uncertain amid speculation linking him to other clubs, introduced Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez to inject energy. Jimenez came closest to equalizing, flashing a spectacular bicycle kick just over the bar in the dying moments, while Sander Berge’s low drive was comfortably saved by City’s Ederson. However, City’s clinical edge shone through in the 71st minute when Haaland converted a penalty, calmly slotting past Leno after a foul in the box. The goal marked a fitting farewell for Kevin De Bruyne, who played his final match for City before departing, applauded warmly by the traveling fans.
City’s victory was not without context. A draw would have sufficed unless Aston Villa achieved an improbable 17-goal swing against Manchester United, a scenario rendered moot by United’s 2-0 win. Despite a season described as disappointing by their lofty standards—marked by an FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace and a failure to challenge for the Premier League crown—Guardiola’s men secured their primary objective. The match also highlighted Fulham’s resilience, with their 54 points reflecting a season of progress, though their late-season slump of seven losses in ten games dashed hopes of European qualification.