Manchester City will want to avoid any more slip ups when they host Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side remain unbeaten in the league with the same number of points as Arsenal, but have dropped points in two successive matches.
City have struggled in the absence of Rodri, who sustained an ACL injury ruling him out for the rest of the season, and Kevin De Bruyne who could make his return against Fulham.
But City will be hoping their dominant 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions LEague has had a similar effect on their league form.
Fulham have started the season in solid form, currently in sixth after winning three and losing just one of their opening six matches.
Follow all the live action in the blog below:
Manchester City vs Fulham LIVE: Premier League updates
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Man City take on Fulham in the Premier League
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47’ GOAL! Kovacic adds a second for City (MCI 2-1 FUL)
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32’ GOAL! Mateo Kovacic fizzes in equaliser (MCI 1-1 FUL)
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26’ GOAL! Andreas Pereira flicks Fulham into lead (MCI 0-1 FUL)
Manchester City FC 2 – 1 Fulham FC
Manchester City vs Fulham
16:05
Assist Bernardo Mota Veiga de Carvalho e Silva
Manchester City vs Fulham
16:04
Manchester City kick off, and we are back under way at the Etihad!
Manchester City vs Fulham
16:00
Should Manchester City merely avoid defeat today, they would extend their remarkable unbeaten home record to 50 matches, becoming just the fourth English top-flight team to reach that milestone, after Liverpool (85 between 1978-1981), Chelsea (74, 2006-2008; then 58, 2004-2006) and Sunderland (50, 1890-1893). However, as things stand they would slip three points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool going into the international break.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:56
A brave first-half performance by Fulham sees the London club on level terms with Premier League champions Manchester City, as the half-time whistle blows with score at 1-1. After absorbing plenty of early pressure – with Gundogan and Haaland both missing good chances – the Cottagers struck first, when a moment of magic from Jimenez set up Pereira’s close-range finish. City bit back soon after, as Kovacic crashed in a low shot from the edge of the area following a corner. A wide-open encounter is reflected by both teams’ xG, with Fulham on 1.35 to their hosts’ 1.17 so far. Perhaps today is the day City’s long winning run over their capital-city counterparts finally ends?
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:49
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 FULHAM
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:49
There will be just one minute of stoppage time added to the end of this first half, so Fulham’s job is almost done.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:47
Having been quite bold over the preceeding 20 minutes, Fulham are back in numbers now, aiming to keep the scoreline level until half-time. They surely deserve to been on equal terms at the break.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:46
MISS! After making his way to the left byline, Grealish stands up a lovely ball towards Bernardo Silva at the back post. The midfield maestro ghosts into the perfect position to finish, but his header loops over the far post and out of play! That should’ve hit the target!
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:44
While Fulham may have only had half as many shots – and attempts on target – as their opponents so far, they have increased their possession share by almost 15% over the past 20 minutes. It’s impressive stuff from the Cottagers.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:42
Fulham are pushing hard for a second goal before the break, as Jimenez has a scuffed shot blocked by Kovacic, then City are forced to concede a corner. Marco Silva must be delighted with how his team are playing today: ususally they excel at Craven Cottage, but they’re taking the challenge to England’s dominant side in Manchester.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:39
Following City’s latest corner, Fulham break at speed again, confidently committing bodies forward in numbers. So far, they’ve caused their hosts plenty of problems in that manner; this time, it all comes to nothing.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:38
The hosts have got their tails up now, as Foden and then Lewis see shots blocked by Bassey inside Fulham’s area. Then, Gvardiol tests Leno with a low effort which seems to be creeping wide, but the German goalkeeper still tips it behind for a corner.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:34
Fulham have actually registered three of their four Premier League wins over Manchester City at the Etihad, albeit their most recent victory there was way back in April 2009, under Roy Hodgson. Can they do it again today, more than 15 years later?
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:33
Goal Mateo Kovačić
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:33
CLOSE! Fulham counter again, and Iwobi spins his marker before setting up a 10-yard strike for Traore. The winger can’t keep his effort on target, though, and despite beating Ederson he also lifts the ball over the crossbar! City are living dangerously here!
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:28
Assist Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:27
Goal Andreas Hugo Hoelgebaum Pereira
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:26
After Tete charges upfield, past several tame challenges, Robinson swings over a low cross from the left; Lewis reads it and cuts out the danger, allowing Ederson to take back possession.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:24
A 25-yard free-kick from a central position is taken short to Lewis, who then tries to switch play but spectacularly fails. It’s another wasted set-piece situation for the hosts, who have lost a little of their early momentum.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:23
Manchester City’s long winning run over Fulham continued when they last met, when the reigning Premier League champions cruised to a 4-0 victory at Craven Cottage towards the end of last season. So far today, though, they’ve been kept at bay.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:19
SAVE! Ederson keeps the scores level! Powering his way past Lewis just outside the area, Traore almost finishes off a rapid Fulham counter-attack. He works his way clear through on goal, but Ederson races off his line to make a sharp stop! Great goalkeeping, but the Fulham winger should’ve scored!
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:17
Bassey blocks a threatening low cross from the right byline, before Foden’s inswinging corner is met by Haaland at the back post. Under pressure, the latter can only guide his tame header straight at Leno. City are getting ever closer to making their 73% share of possession pay.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:14
After Iwobi’s hopeful shot from a wide angle on the right is deflected behind, Fulham’s subsequent corner is met by a leap from Jimenez. He can’t control his header, though, and City clear their lines.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:13
A rare foray upfield by Fulham results in Jimenez winning a free-kick from Ruben Dias, who holds his opponent back. However, it comes to nothing, and Manchester City resume their total dominance of possession.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:11
Once again, Foden tees up Haaland on the edge of the area. This time City’s star striker opens up an angle to shoot, but his low effort is slightly scuffed and runs straight towards Leno, who gathers the ball safely.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:10
Haaland steps up to the free-kick and drives it low and hard; however, it thuds into Bernardo Silva, who was placed on the ground in front of Fulham’s defensive wall. The hosts have made a mess of that set-piece routine.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:08
Lukic pulls Lewis back by the shirt and concedes a free-kick in dangerous territory, but he avoids a booking. City will have a chance to strike at goal from around 20 yards out, in a central position.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:07
JUST WIDE! Now Haaland comes close! Played in by a precise Foden throughball, the Norwegian striker takes aim but angles his low shot narrowly wide of the right-hand post! Fulham escape again!
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:06
CLOSE! Gundogan misses a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring, firing wide of the right-hand post when left in space near the penalty spot! That’s a great opportunity spurned!
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:05
Gundogan finds Haaland on the right byline, and the latter’s cutback is blocked behind for Man City’s first corner. Akanji attacks the cross, but commits a foul and concedes a free-kick to Fulham.
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:02
Fulham kick off, and we are under way in Manchester!
Manchester City vs Fulham
15:02
Emerging into the sunshine from the tunnel, both teams are out on the pitch, and kick-off is now just moments away!
Manchester City vs Fulham
14:58
Making just one change to the XI that started in Nottingham last week, Fulham boss Marco Silva brings Berge into midfield, replacing Smith Rowe. After scoring three goals in as many games, Jimenez starts up front; fellow striker Carlos Vinicius is sidelined by a calf injury.
Manchester City vs Fulham
14:53
After making six changes in midweek, Guardiola recalls several senior stars, including goalkeeper Ederson and centre-back Ruben Dias. There is only one switch from the draw with Newcastle last week, though: Foden replaces Walker, with Lewis starting at right-back. Once again City will be without Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Nathan Ake and Kevin De Bruyne due to injury.
Manchester City vs Fulham
14:48
SUBS: Steven Benda, Harrison Reed, Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz, Tom Cairney, Reiss Nelson, Timothy Castagne, Issa Diop, Emile Smith Rowe.
Manchester City vs Fulham
14:48
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson; Sander Berge, Sasa Lukic; Adama Traore, Andreas Pereira, Alex Iwobi; Raul Jimenez.
Manchester City vs Fulham
14:42
SUBS: Stefan Ortega, Scott Carson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Matheus Nunes, James McAtee.
Manchester City vs Fulham
14:42
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol; Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan; Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish; Erling Haaland.
Manchester City vs Fulham
14:37
Fulham have made their best start to a Premier League campaign since 2003, accruing 11 points so far to claim sixth place in the table – just three points behind today’s hosts. Since losing to Manchester United on the opening weekend, the Cottagers have put together a five-game unbeaten run in the English top flight, winning both of their last two matches. After beating Newcastle 3-1, last week they edged out Nottingham Forest, winning 1-0 at the City Ground thanks to a Raul Jimenez penalty.
Manchester City vs Fulham
14:37
After being held to their second successive Premier League draw by Newcastle United last week, Manchester City then returned to winning ways with a comfortable success against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. On the domestic front, Pep Guardiola’s side sit four points behind leaders Liverpool after the Reds beat Crystal Palace in today’s early kick-off, so they will be keen to continue their dominance over Fulham. City have won each of the clubs’ last 16 meetings across all competitions – the longest winning run one team has had over another throughout English football league history.
Manchester City vs Fulham
14:32
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today’s Premier League clash between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad Stadium!
Fulham team news
13:49 , Sonia Twigg
Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Bassey, Andersen, Robinson, Lukic, Iwobi, Berge, Pereira, Traore, Jimenez.
Man City team news
13:49 , Sonia Twigg
Man City made a few changes for the trip to Slovan Bratislava, but have only made one from the draw at Newcastle last weekend.
Phil Foden replaces Kyle Walker, with Rico Lewis expected to play at right back.
Man City XI: Ederson, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Lewis, Kovacic, Gundogan, Silva, Grealish, Foden, Haaland.
Manchester City vs Fulham
13:00
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
