Manchester City booked qualification for next season Champions League with a 2-0 win over Fulham, thanks to goals from
Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland.
The result ensured Pep Guardiola’s men finished third in the Premier League and booked their spot in Champions League competition for a 15th consecutive season — a remarkable testament to the club’s consistency since 2010.
Gundogan opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a spectacular overhead kick at Craven Cottage — his first league goal since rejoining City last summer.
The German midfielder reacted brilliantly after Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno could only palm Matheus Nunes’ cross into his path.
City controlled much of the game and doubled their lead in the 72nd minute. Gundogan was brought down in the box, and Haaland confidently stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, netting his final league goal of the campaign.
The match also marked an emotional moment as Kevin De Bruyne was introduced late on to a rapturous ovation, making what could be his final Premier League appearance for City.
With a sun-drenched Craven Cottage providing a picturesque setting along the River Thames, City entered the match needing just a point to clinch Champions League qualification. But they showed no intention of settling.
It was a dominant start by Guardiola’s side, with Omar Marmoush firing a 25-yard free-kick narrowly over the bar in the seventh minute. City then camped in Fulham’s half, applying consistent pressure on the hosts.
That pressure paid off when Nunes surged down the right wing and delivered a low cross. Leno’s attempted clearance fell perfectly for Gundogan, who acrobatically finished to give City the lead.
Haaland sealed the win from the penalty spot after Gundogan was fouled in the area, ensuring City’s 18th straight win over Fulham in all competitions — the longest winning streak by one English league side against another.
It also marked City’s 15th consecutive Premier League victory against the Cottagers, underlining their dominance in the fixture.
