Manchester City clinched their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League with a 2-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Ilkay Gundogan played his part in both goals, scoring a superb overhead kick to open the scoring before winning a second-half penalty.

Gundogan was caught by Sasa Lukic in the box, with Erling Haaland confidently converting from 12 yards, sending Bernd Leno the wrong way.

Fulham had pushed for an equaliser, with Harry Wilson coming closest, but they were unable to mount another comeback following their battling victory at Brentford last week.

Pep Guardiola’s side round off the season in third, with 71 points, while Fulham missed out on the chance to finish in the top half, having to settle for 11th, on 54 points.

How the match unfolded

City dominated before finding their opening in the 21st minute. Matheus Nunes’ chip was pushed up by Leno and looped invitingly for Gundogan, who met it with a sensational overhead attempt that bounced in off the underside of the bar, with the goal standing after a VAR review.

Ederson parried Wilson’s bending effort as Fulham sought an equaliser, with Tom Cairney seeing a volley blocked by team-mate Raul Jimenez before dragging the follow-up wide.

Wilson came close again just before the break, with Ederson getting a strong hand to a low, curling shot, and Andreas Pereira found the side netting after keeping it alive.

Leno made an unorthodox save with his face to keep out Josko Gvardiol’s powerful header before Haaland headed across the face of goal.

But star performer Gundogan then played a key role in City’s second, drawing a rash kick from Lukic, with the decision to award a spot-kick confirmed by the VAR.

Haaland stepped up and coolly put City into a commanding lead with 18 minutes of the 90 remaining. 

Fulham almost struck in stoppage time, with Sander Berge forcing a smart save out of Ederson before Jimenez’s acrobatic effort sailed into the crowd.

Fulham’s comeback hopes stall

Back-to-back defeats against Aston Villa and Everton meant Fulham could not keep their European bid alive going into the final day, but having already recorded their best-ever points tally, a top-half finish was still a possibility to cap their impressive season.

However, they have now not beaten City at home in the Premier League since 2005, and the visitors were well on top in the early exchanges.

Adama Traore saw their first clear opening, racing in behind City’s defence, but one-v-one against Ederson, he could only poke the ball into the goalkeeper’s gloves.

In-form Wilson tried to spark a turnaround, twice testing Ederson after cutting inside from the right, while Cairney, on what could be his final match for Fulham, saw his best chance thwarted by a poorly placed Jimenez.

Fulham have been known for their comebacks this season, but a turnaround failed to materialise as City controlled the second half. They did have a late penalty shout as Kenny Tete’s flick struck Ruben Dias’ arm, but the claim was waved away.

Despite a 15th consecutive Premier League loss against City, it has been a season to remember for Marco Silva’s men, who will be looking to mount another European push in 2025/26.

City get the job done

City bounced back from their FA Cup heartbreak in style with a 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth last time out, and it meant that Champions League qualification was firmly in their hands on the final day.

And after a season where they have underperformed, they ended it on a high by ensuring they would be competing in Europe’s premier competition next time around – and if not for a last-gasp Arsenal winner against Southampton, could

Knowing a point could be enough to seal their top-five place, Guardiola’s side started on the front foot with Omar Marmoush blazing a free-kick over the bar before Jeremy Doku sliced a wild shot across the length of the box.

But it was Gundogan, who has previous of stepping up on the final day for City, that was left unmarked by Fulham’s backline to break the deadlock in style. But other than Nico Gonzalez’s saved low drive, City struggled to maintain that level in the first half.

With their lead looking precarious, Guardiola’s half-time message was clear as City upped the pressure again, though it took another special moment from Gundogan to open up Fulham’s resolute defence, and Haaland made no mistake from the spot.

Haaland almost added further gloss to the scoreline, only to bend an effort over the bar, but after withstanding some late Fulham pressure, City got over the line, though they still have a chance to win silverware soon, with the FIFA Club World Cup on the horizon.