Fulham headed into the match with little to play for after their recent run all but ruled out a late push for European football.
Manchester City, meanwhile, knew a win would take them top of the Premier League until at least Tuesday when Arsenal take on Chelsea.
And when all was said and done, Manchester City came away with the win.
Manchester City got off to a dream start as they were awarded a penalty inside the opening two minutes.
Julian Alvarez was fouled by Tim Ream. Erling Haaland stepped up to score the penalty for his 50th goal of the season.
MOST goals in a Premier League season 🚨
Erling Haaland is a machine 🤖 pic.twitter.com/Gzf60KojWY
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 30, 2023
Man City’s dominance continued in the open exchanges with Alvarez and Jack Grealish coming close.
The home outfit were forced into an early change shortly after their equaliser as Tim Ream went off injured.
Grealish should have put City back in front after 26 minutes but Leno saved.
Man City would restore their lead shortly before half-time, though, with Alvarez smashing in a beautiful curling effort from outside the box.
The Sky Blues came out for the second half on top, with Leno doing well to deny Haaland and Alvarez. Ederson then nearly gifted Fulham a goal shortly after the hour mark but he was able to get the ball out from under Vinicius before he could shoot.
The second half turned pretty scrappy around 70 minutes in, with Grealish and Kenny Tete both booked for an off-the-ball incident.
But neither outfit created too much for the remainder of the tie and City were able to pick up the win.
Player ratings
Fulham
- GK: Bernd Leno (7)
- RB: Kenny Tete (6)
- CB: Tosin Adarabioyo (6.5)
- CB: Tim Ream (1)
- LB: Antonee Robinson (5.5)
- CDM: Harison Reed (6)
- CDM: Joao Palhinha (6)
- CAM: Andreas Pereira (5.5)
- RW: Harry Wilson (6.5)
- ST: Carlos Vinicius (7)
- LW: Bobby Reid (5.5)
Substitutes
- Isa Diop (6)
- Tom Cairney (5)
- Manor Solomon (4
- Sasa Lukic (4)
- Dan James (4)
Manchester City
- GK: Ederson (6)
- RCB: Kyle Walker (6.5)
- CB: Ruben Dias (6.5)
- LCB: Manuel Akanji (7)
- CDM: John Stones (7)
- CDM: Rodri (7)
- CM: Ilkay Gundogan (6.5)
- CAM: Julian Alvarez (7.5)
- RW: Riyad Mahrez (7.5)
- ST: Erling Haaland (7.5)
- LW: Jack Grealish (7.5)
Substitutes
- Phil Foden (4)
- Bernardo Silva (4)
Match reaction
Only four players in the history of English top-flight football have scored 50 goals across all competitions in a single season:
✅ Dixie Dean (63, 1927/28)
✅ Vic Watson (50, 1929/30)
✅ Tom Waring (50, 1930/31)
🆕 Erling Haaland (2022/23)Judgement Day has arrived. 🤖
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) April 30, 2023
A 50th goal of the season for the remarkable @ErlingHaaland
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 30, 2023
Harry Kane’s total of 24 Premier League goals would be enough to have won the Golden Boot in 12 previous seasons.
Erling Haaland has 10 more goals than Kane.
🔵 | #ManCity
— bet365 (@bet365) April 30, 2023
Harry Wilso has scored or assisted 3 goals in his last 4 Premier League appearances. He only had 1 assist in his previous 21:
⚽ vs. Everton
⚽ vs. Leeds
❌ vs. Aston Villa
🅰️ vs. Man CityHitting some form. 📈 pic.twitter.com/aqqoIwOgkg
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 30, 2023
Man City having kdb Alvarez and haaland pic.twitter.com/c0H9GfOyFU
— chelsea 🍧 (@r9naId0) April 30, 2023
Julian Alvarez & Haaland in the same team… pic.twitter.com/DfILfBwY3f
— Kaz♦️ (@AFC_Kaz) April 30, 2023
Man City have won more penalties than any other team in the Premier League this season (9).
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) April 30, 2023
Julian Alvarez has now scored 15 goals in all competitions so far this season. Only Erling Haaland (50) has more for Manchester City this season.
Incredible strike. 💥 pic.twitter.com/i72LwHFPG3
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 30, 2023
Manchester United & Chelsea want World Cup semi-finalist
Manchester United scouts watched 11-goal attacker on Wednesday
