Fulham vs Manchester City LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.
This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.
Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Fulham FC 0 - 4 Manchester City FC
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:38
Manchester City return to the Premier League summit, moving two points clear of Arsenal with another four-goal margin of victory, as they put Fulham to the sword at Craven Cottage. It ends 4-0 in London, after Gvardiol scored twice, either side of Foden's well-taken strike; Alvarez applied the finishing touch to a dominant display by scoring from the spot during stoppage time. City posted a final xG of 3.15 to Fulham's meagre 0.12, and Guardiola's side now lead England's top flight for the first time since April 13. Fulham, meanwhile, take an unwanted place in history as the first team in English football history to lose 16 successive competitive matches to the same opponent. While the Cottagers will travel to relegation-threatened Luton Town on the final day of the season, City continue their quest for a fourth straight league title on Tuesday, when they take on Tottenham. That's all from today's live coverage, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:30
FULL-TIME: FULHAM 0-4 MANCHESTER CITY
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:29
PENALTY FOR CITY! A tired, late lunge on the fresh-legged Alvarez sees Diop doubly penalised: he concedes a penalty and also receives his second yellow card! City have a chance to score four!
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:27
Penalty Goal Julián Álvarez
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:26
Fulham have hardly laid a glove on their visitors today, so they'll be glad when the final whistle blows. There's just a few moments remaining until they are put out of their misery.
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:26
Yellow 2nd/RC Issa Laye Lucas Jean Diop
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:25
Rodri tries his luck from outside the box, but his shot drifts well wide of the target. The Spanish midfielder hasn’t lost any of the last 47 Premier League games in which he’s played, and that run will reach 48 now.
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:22
There will be at least seven minutes added to the end of this second half for stoppages. Understandably, the game has now slowed to near walking pace.
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:20
Yellow Card Antonee Robinson
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:20
Both Doku and Walker seem to have sustained knocks since arriving from the bench, but both are cleared to continue, as the referee gets play back under way.
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:19
Doku is left down on the turf after a typically crunching tackle by Joao Palhinha, and the game is halted while City's tricky winger receives treatment.
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:18
City are just keeping the ball now, aiming to ease towards victory on a hot day in London. The onus falls on Arsenal to claim three points later this weekend, in order to keep some pressure on Pep's star-studded side.
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:13
SUPER SAVE! Cutting from the left, Doku unleashes a thunderous drive towards the near post, but Leno is equal to it! The German goalkeeper dives full length, making an excellent stop to deny the Man City substitute!
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:12
Substitution Philip Walter Foden Oscar Bobb
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:12
Substitution Erling Braut Haaland Julián Álvarez
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:12
Substitution Mateo Kovačić Rico Henry Mark Lewis
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:12
Only Haaland (seven) and Phil Foden (also seven) have scored more goals for Manchester City since the start of April than Gvardiol (five), and his surprise conversion to flying full-back has given Guardiola's side a different dimension of late. He's certainly proved decisive today.
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:08
Yellow Card Issa Laye Lucas Jean Diop
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:07
GOAL STANDS! The VAR has checked that Akanji didn't get a touch on Bernardo Silva's cross, which would have meant that Gvardiol was offside, but the goal is confirmed!
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:07
Substitution Kevin De Bruyne Jérémy Baffour Doku
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:05
Substitution Andreas Hugo Hoelgebaum Pereira Harry Wilson
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:03
De Bruyne gets in behind Fulham's defence, then cuts the ball back from the right byline: deflected behind by Diop and then Leno, City must settle for a corner.
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:03
Assist Bernardo Mota Veiga de Carvalho e Silva
Fulham vs Manchester City
14:00
Shortly after De Bruyne topples over in Fulham's area, optimistically claiming a penalty-kick, Haaland collects the loose ball and drives another wayward shot over the crossbar.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:59
Peaking at just the right time, Foden has now scored 12 goals across his last 12 Premier League appearances, helping his club move back to the top of the pile - provided they finish the job today.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:57
Substitution Rodrigo Muniz Carvalho Armando Broja
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:57
Though Muniz claims a penalty should be awarded after the ball pops up and seems to strike Bernardo Silva's arm in the City area, the referee and the VAR agree that play should go on.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:54
MISS! Played through on goal, just 10 yards out and unmarked, Haaland can't sort his feet out quickly and blazes an awful shot over the crossbar! What a let-off for Fulham, who are already in need of a minor miracle to turn this game around!
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:52
CLOSE! Man City respond to conceding their first shot on target, as De Bruyne fires in a low effort, which is well saved by Leno in the bottom-left corner! This game is edgeing out of its slumber now!
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:50
Assist Bernardo Mota Veiga de Carvalho e Silva
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:49
Goal Philip Walter Foden
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:49
SAVE! Ederson is finally tested, as Adama Traore sures forward and then Muniz flicks an improvised shot towards the bottom corner! Perhaps it would've slipped wide, but City's goalkeeper wasn't to know that!
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:48
Diop clips a throughball straight towards Ederson, and the home fans groan in frustration. Fulham simply haven't got going today. Still, they remain within just one goal of the champions.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:45
SHARP STOP! Leno stands firm at his near post, palming away a powerful low drive by Bernardo Silva! That would have slipped in, but the goalkeeper is alert to make an important save!
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:44
Bursting into the box from the right, Adama Traore looks up before clipping over a wayward cross that ultimately sails out of play. Fulham are still awaiting their first shot at goal.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:42
A rare misplaced pass by De Bruyne sends the ball straight out of play on the left, just as Gvardiol looked set to mount another raid along that flank. He's adapted so well to an unfamiliar role.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:39
After making that double substitution, Fulham are showing signs of more positive intent. However, City will not sit back for long and are already finding their passing rhythm again.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:36
Man City kick off, and we are back under way at Craven Cottage!
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:35
Substitution Willian Borges da Silva Adama Traoré Diarra
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:35
Substitution Bobby Armani De Cordova-Reid Thomas Cairney
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:29
Fulham have now failed to score a first-half goal in 24 of their 37 league games this season, but this is only the third time any Marco Silva side has proved unable to record a single first-half shot in the Premier League. As City have won 15 and drawn four when leading at the break, turning this match around would require a major change of fortunes for the Cottagers.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:25
Fully deserving their lead at Craven Cottage, reigning champions Manchester City edge a little closer to another defence of their Premier League crown, with Gvardiol's superb early goal putting them 1-0 up at the break. Having had a 67 per cent share of possession and boasting an xG of 1.34 to their hosts' xG of 0, City were in cruise control for most of the half, and if they can finish the job they'll be back on top of the table. Fulham, meanwhile, look like a side drifting towards the finish line, and Marco Silva must work some half-time magic if they are to avoid a record-breaking 16th straight defeat to the same opponents.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:20
HALF-TIME: FULHAM 1-0 MANCHESTER CITY
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:20
Marco Silva strokes his chin on the touchline, as he ponders how his side can turn this game around after the interval. Fulham will be happy to see out the final moments of this half and recalibrate during half-time.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:18
There are to be at least three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half - can City extend their advantage before the break?
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:17
CLOSE! Bernardo Silva and Foden exchange passes inside Fulham's area, before the Portuguese midfielder's attempt at goal is diverted behind by Diop. Then, Akanji volleys just over the crossbar following the corner! Left unmarked, he really should have scored there!
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:15
Gvardiol's cross into the box lacks accuracy, allowing Leno to comfortably claim it. City's intensity has dropped a little now, but they are still the team dictating play.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:13
Ruben Dias has to adjust quickly, as a long throughball almost beats him and slips Muniz through one-on-one with Ederson. Just in time, the City centre-back hooks the ball away.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:12
After De Bruyne's low curling shot is blocked behind for a corner on the right, the Belgian playmaker takes the subsequent set-piece himself. With an acrobatic leap, Haaland tries to reach it on the edge of the area, but the ball drifts away from danger.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:09
After Robinson stands up a dangerous cross from the left, Fulham manage to maintain a short spell of pressure. However, to the home fans' frustration, it all peters out too quickly.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:09
Marco Silva has lost all nine of his Premier League matches against Manchester City: no manager has ever lost their first 10 fixtures against a single opponent in the competition, but the way this game is unfolding, that record could be broken today.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:06
Gvardiol's persistence forces Castagne to concede a corner-kick, but De Bruyne's delivery is headed partly clear before Fulham fully clear their lines at the second attempt.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:05
The visitors' dominance is growing, as they have now increased their possession share to 64 per cent. They are switching the ball around swiftly, keeping Fulham penned back.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:03
A rather hopeful cross from the right flank by De Cordova-Reid sails straight towards Ederson, who leaves his line to pluck the ball out of the sunny London sky. So far, Man City's defence has barely been threatened, and Marco Silva cannot be happy with Fulham's final-third play.
Fulham vs Manchester City
13:01
SAVE! De Bruyne sets up Foden on the edge of the box, but the latter's firm strike is too close to Leno, who reaches up to make a smart stop just under his crossbar!
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:59
Leno dives left to make a straightforward save from Bernardo Silva's tame shot, taken from the edge of the area. It never looked like beating Fulham's goalkeeper.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:57
Fulham's lively start to this game seems quite a while ago now, as their illustrious visitors are in charge at Craven Cottage. In the mood to get the job done, City are sure to push forward in search of a second goal.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:54
Substitution Nathan Benjamin Aké Kyle Andrew Walker
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:54
Although he remains on the pitch, Ake seems to be struggling with a muscular problem, and surely it won't be long before he has to depart. Guardiola must assess his options on the bench.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:52
Offered a slither of space in the final third, Iwobi flips a lovely ball over the top, but De Cordova-Reid can't bring under his control and the ball spins over the right-byline.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:51
In the process of setting up Gvardiol's fourth goal in eight games, De Bruyne moved joint-second in the Premier League's assist charts (111 - level with former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas). What a difference he has made in this enthralling title race.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:49
Swivelling and shooting in one motion, Haaland hoists an ambitious attempt over the crossbar, following a mix-up between Leno and Bassey.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:48
As things stand, that goal would put Man City back on top of the Premier League for the first time in nearly a month. There's a long way to go, though, until this win has been secured.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:44
Assist Kevin De Bruyne
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:43
For the first time, the light-blue-clad City side are on top. Fulham are trying to keep the play confined to central areas, as they drop back into a deep block.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:42
Fulham try to build up from the back, but their visitors' closing down forces them to play a little longer and then lose the ball. City are masters at squeezing space from the front, and they'll look to build pressure that way.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:40
The possession has been shared quite equally so far, with Fulham having 47 per cent to Manchester City's 53. Marco Silva's men are staying compact and moving the ball around nicely.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:39
Pereira is caught out inside his own half and decides to haul down Bernardo Silva; the free-kick comes to nothing, though. City have yet to fully find their rhythm.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:37
Fulham have picked up 65 per cent of their Premier League points (29 out of 44) at home so far this season, so they'll be expecting to fare better than in the reverse fixture in Manchester, when they conceded five goals. So far, they've kept the champions fairly quiet.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:35
Sent away down the left by Iwobi, Pereira wins an early corner for Fulham. However, the latter's inswinging delivery is headed away from Man City's six-yard box and play ultimately settles in midfield. It's a bright enough start for the home side.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:32
Fulham kick off, and we are under way in London!
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:31
The players are out on the pitch at a sun-soaked Craven Cottage, and kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:27
Guardiola has a fully-fit squad to select from and chooses to make just one change to the team that started last week's win over Wolves: Ruben Dias replaces Walker, who drops to the bench. Haaland continues up front, having scored five goals in his three Premier League games against Fulham, netting a hat-trick in City’s win over the Cottagers earlier this season.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:27
Fulham's Serbian midfielder Sasa Lukic is ruled out by a calf injury, so De Cordova-Reid comes into the hosts' starting XI and will wear the captain's armband - he also makes his 100th Premier League appearance for the club today. Former Man City player Tosin Adarabioyo has been left out of the squad again and may have already played his final game for Fulham as his contract expires next month.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:22
SUBS: Stefan Ortega, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez, Sergio Gomez, Matheus Nunes, Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:22
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol; Rodri, Mateo Kovacic; Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden; Erling Haaland.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:17
SUBS: Marek Rodak, Kenny Tete, Harrison Reed, Raul Jimenez, Harry Wilson, Armando Broja, Tom Cairney, Adama Traore, Tim Ream.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:17
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Timothy Castagne, Issa Diop, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson; Joao Palhinha, Alex Iwobi; Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Andreas Pereira, Willian; Rodrigo Muniz.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:12
Four goals from prolific striker Erling Haaland helped Man City extend their long unbeaten run in the top flight to 20 matches last week, when the reigning champions thumped Wolves 5-1 at Etihad Stadium. As a result, their destiny remains in their own hands: City sit just a point behind league leaders Arsenal having played one game fewer. Today, Pep Guardiola's side will attempt to keep their pursuit of a record fourth consecutive Premier League title on track against perhaps their favourite opponents: the Manchester club have compiled the joint-longest winning run over another team in competitive English football.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:07
Without a win in their last three games, Fulham were forced to settle for just one point from a goalless stalemate away to Brentford last weekend, and they sit 13th in the Premier League standings. While their season seems to be petering out, Marco Silva's men have already beaten teams such as Arsenal and Tottenham at Craven Cottage this term. However, they suffered a crushing 5-1 defeat in September's reverse fixture, and the Cottagers have lost their last 15 meetings with Manchester City ahead of today's game.
Fulham vs Manchester City
12:03
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between mid-table Fulham and title-chasing Manchester City at Craven Cottage!
Fulham vs Manchester City
11:30
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
