Manchester City vs Fulham LIVE!

Mateo Kovacic scored twice and Jeremy Doku added a third as Manchester City got back to winning ways with a 3-2 Premier League victory over Fulham. City put successive draws with Arsenal and Newcastle behind them against a battling Cottagers, who scored through Andreas Perreira and Rodrigo Muniz.

City stay second in the league behind Liverpool after their 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at lunchtime keeps the Reds top, but Pep Guardiola will be pleased with his side.

The champions extend their fearsome record over Fulham to 17 wins in a row across all competitions. Follow all the reaction from the Etihad Stadium below with Standard Sport’s LIVE dedicated match blog.

Man City vs Fulham latest updates

• GOAL! Perreira opens scoring

• GOAL! Kovacic levels for City

• GOAL! Kovacic sends City ahead

• GOAL! Muniz gets one back for Fulham

City edge past battling Fulham

17:08 , Jamie Dickenson

Mateo Kovacic scored twice as Manchester City got back to winning ways with a 3-2 Premier League victory over Fulham.

Jeremy Doku hit the decisive third for the hosts, who went behind to Andreas Perreira and then saw Rodrigo Muniz score a late consolation.

City stay second in the league behind Liverpool after their 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at lunchtime keeps them top.

Click here to read the full match report!

FT: Man City 3-2 Fulham

16:54 , Jamie Dickenson

Manchester City return to winning ways in the Premier League after two goals from Mateo Kovacic and a wonder-strike from Jeremy Doku.

Fulham scored twice - going ahead through Andreas Perreira and then getting one back from Rodrigo Muniz - but City held on to take all three points.

Man City 3-2 Fulham

16:53 , Jamie Dickenson

90+5 mins: City pick up a few yellow cards for time wasting, with Ederson and Bernardo Silva guilty.

Man City 3-2 Fulham

16:50 , Jamie Dickenson

90+2 mins: City are holding on as Fulham push for a late equaliser.

Lukic whips in a corner but Gvardiol earns a free-kick.

GOAL! Man City 3-2 Fulham | Muniz '88

16:46

87 mins: Substitute Muniz gets one back for Fulham after being found by Nelson.

Can Fulham find a late equaliser?

Man City 3-1 Fulham

16:44 , Jamie Dickenson

86 mins: City have probably done enough to see off Fulham today, who will ruefully look back on those guilt-edged chances for Adama Traore in particular.

GOAL! Man City 3-1 Fulham | Doku '82

16:40 , Jamie Dickenson

82 mins: Jeremy Doku fires a ferocious shot past Leno in goal to give City a two-goal cushion.

A long ball downfield from Ederson set the chance up, with Doku picking up the ball on the wing and using his quick feet to make the space for a shot.

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:39 , Jamie Dickenson

80 mins: Fulham continue to press their claims for an equaliser, with Robinson crossing in from the left again but City clear.

Doku then slows it down for City, who will want to keep the ball and regain some control of this game.

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:35 , Jamie Dickenson

77 mins: Great block from Gvardiol to keep out Jimenez, who looked destined to score.

Marc Silva then rolls the dice with a triple change - Nelson, Muniz and Castagne coming on for Iwobi, Tete and Jimenez.

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:31 , Jamie Dickenson

72 mins: Fulham are pressing for an equaliser, blocking Doku’s attempts to run out.

They have frustrated City by keeping the ball well, with Gvardiol intercepting a crossfield ball in for Iowbi.

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:26 , Jamie Dickenson

67 mins: Traore beats Kyle Walker in a foot race to go clean through against Ederson again, but again the keeper makes the save.

Traore has so much pace but just can’t find the finish.

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:23

65 mins: Calvin Bassey is the first player to get booked today as he stops a City break.

Smith Rowe and Cairney are on with Berge and Perreira making way.

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:20 , Jamie Dickenson

62 mins: Rico Lewis hits a volley from outside the box towards goal but it deflects wide off Haaland.

Fulham are preparing Emile Smith Rowe and Tom Cairney now.

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:19

61 mins: Walker comes on for Akanji for his 400th Premier League appearance, while Jack Grealish makes way for Doku.

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:18 , Jamie Dickenson

59 mins: Phil Foden unleashes one of his trademark powerful left-footed strikes from outside the box but it sails over.

It was good work from Bernardo Silva to create the chance on the right flank.

Kyle Walker and Jeremy Doku are ready to come on now.

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:16 , Jamie Dickenson

57 mins: Fulham have a rare attack, with City dominating the ball since the break.

How long until Marco Silva throws on Smith Rowe?

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:12 , Jamie Dickenson

54 mins: Fulham break quickly again through Adama Traore, who releases Raul Jimenez but City manage to block his effort.

Traore’s speed is a constant danger for the hosts.

Man City 2-1 Fulham

16:09

51 mins: Haaland - who has been quiet this afternoon - latches onto a cross but can’t direct his header goalwards.

GOAL! Man City 2-1 Fulham | Kovacic '46

16:06 , Jamie Dickenson

46 mins: Electric start to the second half from City with Mateo Kovacic scoring his second with a side-footed effort on the edge of the box.

Back underway

16:05 , Jamie Dickenson

The second half is underway at the Etihad.

Kovacic hits back

16:00 , Jamie Dickenson

Man City were level within minutes when Mateo Kovacic fired home from inside the box.

The hosts are still not at their fluid best but still spurned a number of decent chances in this first half.

Perreira opener

15:58 , Jamie Dickenson

Andreas Perreira opened the scoring in the 26th minute after prodding home Raul Jimenez’s amazing backheel flick.

Fulham have looked a threat on the break with Adama Traore missing two good chances.

HT: Man City 1-1 Fulham

15:48 , Jamie Dickenson

It’s half-time at the Etihad and Fulham will be the happier of the two sides to go in with a goal each.

Andreas Perreira opened the scoring after a sublime backheel assist from Raul Jimenez, but Mateo Kovacic hit back to equalise for City.

Man City 1-1 Fulham

15:44 , Jamie Dickenson

43 mins: Jack Grealish beats his man and gets a cross in on the left wing but Bernardo Silva’s drifting header is not quite on target.

Pep Guardiola will want to get into his team and fire them up at the break.

Man City 1-1 Fulham

15:42 , Jamie Dickenson

41 mins: It’s a good game here at the Etihad, we’ve had 21 attempts from both sides here with City recording double the number of Fulham.

Marco Silva will be happy if his side can get into half-time at 1-1.

Man City 1-1 Fulham

15:38 , Jamie Dickenson

37 mins: Fulham are continuing to cause City issues with Robinson whipping in another ball but Jimenez’s shot is blocked.

The resulting corner from Perreira was headed away easily.

Man City 1-1 Fulham

15:37

36 mins: City have a chance to good ahead but Fulham manage to keep it out.

First Bassey blocks Kovacic’s shot and then Gvardiol forces Leno into a good save.

GOAL! Man City 1-1 Fulham | Kovacic '32

15:33

32 mins: City are level with a thumping finish from Mateo Kovacic.

The hosts needed that and now this game has really come to life.

Man City 0-1 Fulham

15:32 , Jamie Dickenson

28 mins: Fulham nearly make it two but Traore blasts his shot over.

It was another brilliant counter from the visitors with Iwoi making the pass but Traore couldn’t finish his second good chance of the day.

GOAL! Man City 0-1 Fulham | Perreira '26

15:28 , Jamie Dickenson

26 mins: Fuham take the lead with a lovely team goal that Andreas Perreira finishes.

Robinson whipped the ball in from the left and Fulham kept the ball alive, with Jimenez providing a beautiful backheel flick for Perreira to tap home.

Man City 0-0 Fulham

15:25 , Jamie Dickenson

24 mins: Gundogan couldn’t quite find the back of the net with a glancing header that just goes past the post.

Bernardo Silva’s ball to find the German was a great one.

Man City 0-0 Fulham

15:22 , Jamie Dickenson

21 mins: Fulham are a compact proposition for City to break down today, but their intricate passing is drawing fouls.

They aren’t making the most of their free-kicks though.

Man City 0-0 Fulham

15:18 , Jamie Dickenson

17 mins: Huge chance for Adama Traore who bustles past Rico Lewis on a quick Fulham break to square up to Ederson, but the City keeper was equal to his shot.

Traore has great pace and will be a threat to City on the counter.

Man City 0-0 Fulham

15:16 , Jamie Dickenson

15 mins: Haaland has another chance but his header is easily gathered from Leno.

It was good build-up play from Silva and Lewis to earn the corner.

Meanwhile the injured Kevin De Bruyne watches on intently from the sidelines.

Man City 0-0 Fulham

15:13

13 mins: City concede the ball with Akanji playing a poor pass towards Kovacic and Fulham have their first foray forward.

Iwobi wins a corner but it comes to nothing.

Man City 0-0 Fulham

15:10 , Jamie Dickenson

09 mins: More good link-up from Foden and Haaland for City, but Haaland can’t find a shot to trouble Fulham keeper Leno.

A dominant start for the hosts here, who have had 67% possession in the opening stages.

Man City 0-0 Fulham

15:07

06 mins: City win a free-kick in a dangerous area after good foraging from Rico Lewis.

Grealish gives up his claim with Gundogan and Haaland standing either side of the ball, but Haaland’s effort is deflected wide and Fulham clear.

Man City 0-0 Fulham

15:04 , Jamie Dickenson

04 mins: City create another chance with a clever one-two between Haaland and Foden, but the big Norwegian drags his shot just outside the post.

Man City 0-0 Fulham

15:04 , Jamie Dickenson

03 mins: City have started the brighter of the two sides, with Jack Grealish having a few neat early touches.

Haaland wins a corner but nothing comes of it, but a poor pass from Fulham gives an early chance to Gundogan but he fires just wide.

KICK-OFF

15:01

We are underway at Etihad with Manchester City in their light blue home kit and Fulham wearing their red and navy away kit.

Manchester sun

14:58 , Jamie Dickenson

Both teams are out and the Premier League music is pumping out of the Etihad speakers.

It’s a bright sunny day in Manchester today.

Guardiola anger at Prem

14:50

Pep Guardiola claims the Premier League have rejected Manchester City’s request to delay their start to next season.

City want their first few games of the 2025/26 season pushed to help them recover from playing in FIFA’s expanded four-week Club World Cup in the summer.

City are the defending champions and could be tied up in the USA from June 15 to July 13 - when the final is scheduled to take place in New Jersey.

That could give City less than a month before the new Premier League season starts, which is why the club have requested to have their initial fixtures postponed.

However, Guardiola claimed the request had been denied, saying: "The Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery.

"Thank you so much.”

De Bruyne return nearing

14:32

Pep Guardiola hopes to have Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne back from injury after the upcoming October international break.

The influential playmaker has not featured at all for City since being forced off with a groin issue at half-time of City’s goalless Champions League opener against Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium on September 18.

De Bruyne has missed all of the club’s last four games across all competitions and will sit out Belgium’s Nations League games against Italy and France.

“Hopefully after the international break, he will be back,” Guardiola said.

Click here to read the full story!

Smith Rowe on Fulham bench

14:05

Emile Smith Rowe drops to the bench as Marco Silva brings Sander Berge into his midfield for Fulham’s trip to Manchester City.

Smith Rowe not starting is a surprise after impressing with two goals following his £34m move from Arsenal this summer.

But perhaps Silva feels he needs the more defensively-minded Berge against the champions today.

Otherwise it’s the same side that beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 last weekend.

Foden starts for City

13:59 , Jamie Dickenson

Phil Foden will make his first Premier League start of the season against Fulham.

Pep Guardiola makes five changes to the Manchester City side that won 4-0 against Slovan Bratislava in midweek.

Ederson replaces Stefan Ortega in goal while Josko Gvardiol comes in for John Stones.

In midfield Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish come in with Matheus Nunes, Savinho and Jeremy Doku dropping out.

Erling Haaland starts up front.

Fulham confirmed team

13:52 , Jamie Dickenson

Fulham XI: Leno; Tete, Bassey, Andersen, Robinson; Lukic, Iwobi, Berge, Pereira, Traore; Jimenez.

Subs: Benda, Castagne, Diop, Reed, Cariney, Wilson, Nelson, Smith Rowe, Muniz.

Man City confirmed team

13:48

Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias (c), Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan, Silva, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.

Subs: Ortega, Carson, Walker, Stones, Doku, Savinho, Nunes, McAtee.

Etihad ready

13:42 , Jamie Dickenson

The state is set at the Etihad for a cracking game of Premier League football.

We’ll have the team news shortly...

Pep talk for Gundo

13:32 , Jamie Dickenson

Pep Guardiola admitted Ilkay Gundogan’s performance against Newcastle was “one of the worst” he had ever seen from the midfielder.

Gundogan struggled during Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at St James’ Park, but got his first goal since rejoining the club from Barcelona during the 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday.

And Guardiola was pleased for the Germany international, who played in a deeper role as he continues to experiment with replacements from Rodri.

“We know he can do it,” Guardiola told TNT Sports. “Strong mentality. The game in Newcastle was not really good, maybe one of the worst I have ever seen with him in the last eight or nine years but this happens. This is why he has to play.

Click here to read the full story!

Man City vs Fulham match odds

12:55

Man City to win: 2/9

Fulham to win: 11/1

Draw: 6/1

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

Head to head (h2h) history and results

12:51 , Jamie Dickenson

Fulham have not beaten Manchester City in any competition since all the way back in April 2009, when Clint Dempsey scored twice in a 3-1 comeback win at the Etihad.

City have won 19 of the 22 contests since then, including 16 in a row to make clear the sheer scale of the task facing the Cottagers this weekend.

Man City wins: 41

Fulham wins: 17

Draws: 16

Man City vs Fulham prediction

12:50 , Jamie Dickenson

Back-to-back Premier League draws is hardly panic stations from a City perspective, but it’s certainly well below their usual sky-high standards and they won’t want to lose any more ground in the early title battle with both Liverpool and Arsenal currently full of confidence.

Fulham will head to the Etihad boosted by their extremely optimistic start to the season, though you fear they could have to weather a ferocious storm from the outset as the hosts look to build on their Champions League exploits in Slovakia and reassert some domestic dominance.

Silva’s side certainly won’t roll over, but City are an absolute juggernaut on home soil and should have more than enough to get the job done comfortably here.

Man City to win, 3-0.

Fulham team news

12:45 , Jamie Dickenson

Fulham coach Marco Silva reported no new injury concerns in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Summer signing Jorge Cuenca will be out until after the international break with an ankle problem, while Carlos Vinicius remains unavailable with a calf injury.

Man City team news

12:41 , Jamie Dickenson

Pep Guardiola has no new injury concerns to contend with after confirming Erling Haaland is fit to face Fulham, having started and scored against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday night despite taking a knock to his ankle against Newcastle last weekend.

The Manchester City boss hopes that skipper Kevin De Bruyne will be back after the upcoming international break, with the midfielder having asked to be left out of Belgium’s squad for the next two international breaks.

Nathan Ake is still sidelined with a hamstring injury while Oscar Bobb is a long-term absentee due to a leg fracture and Rodri will miss the rest of the season after having knee surgery.

It leaves Guardiola with decisions to make in midfield. Ilkay Gundogan played in a deeper role in the midweek Champions League win and could be given that role again, with Mateo Kovacic alongside him and Phil Foden potentially being handed his first start in the Premier League this season.

Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji appear to be the preferred centre-back pairing, meaning John Stones could miss out once more, while Rico Lewis will hope to keep his place at right-back over Kyle Walker.

There were starts for Jeremy Doku and Savinho on Tuesday night, but Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva are likely to return to the lineup against Fulham.

Predicted Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan; Silva, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.

Where to watch Man City vs Fulham

12:37 , Jamie Dickenson

TV channel and live stream: The game will not be televised live in the UK as it lands during the 3pm Saturday TV blackout still observed across English football.

Highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5:15pm, with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10:30pm on Saturday night.

Good afternoon!

12:22 , Jamie Dickenson

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester City v Fulham.

City are looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after successive draws, while Marco Silva’s Fulham are hoping to continue their good form after back-to-back wins.

This is the last round of games before the international break and we’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of the 3pm BST kick-off at the Etihad.