Manchester City Under No Illusions – Win vs Fulham Turns Screw on Arsenal

Manchester City Vs Fulham

Manchester City knew that beating Fulham on Wednesday night would crank up the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal before their trip to Brentford, while anything less than three points would hand Mikel Arteta’s side a massive advantage in the title race.

Fulham's lack of midfield presence was exposed, and they struggled to deal with City's passing game...

missed a golden opportunity to spring a surprise against , as the hosts dominated the game and secured a 3-0 win at the Etihad Stadium. City's victory cuts 's lead at the top of the table to just three points, intensifying the title race.

Timed to perfection 💪 pic.twitter.com/TTJvw1Ye7X
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 12, 2026

The game was a tale of two halves, with City dominating the first 45 minutes and Fulham struggling to cope. , , and scored the goals, with City's attack proving too strong for Fulham's defense. Despite a flurry of shots after the break, Fulham couldn't find a way past City's goalkeeper, .

Fulham's lack of midfield presence was exposed, and they struggled to deal with City's passing game. had more touches, completed passes, and line-breaking passes than anyone in the game, showcasing City's dominance. Fulham will rue missed opportunities, particularly in the second half, where they had chances to get back into the game.

Man City's Dominant H2H Record

Manchester City has a strong head-to-head record against Fulham, having not lost in the last 21 league games against the Cottagers, dating back to 2009. In fact, City has won 22 of their 35 Premier League encounters with Fulham, with 15 of those wins coming by a margin of at least two goals.

Recent Form Favors City

City's recent form against Fulham is impressive, with a 100% win record under . They've won each of their last 19 meetings with Fulham across all competitions, showcasing their dominance.

Title Race Hinges on March Performances

The period between now and the end of March is crucial for title contenders like Manchester City, with performances during this stretch potentially deciding the Premier League champion. City's recent win against Fulham has cut Arsenal's lead to three points, intensifying the title race.

Changes to the Starting Lineups

Both Silva and Guardiola made two changes each to their starting XIs, with Nico O'Reilly making his 20th EPL start for City in 2025/26. O'Reilly became only the second English player aged under 21 to make 20+ starts in the league for the club in the last 17 seasons.

Haaland's Early Frustration

Within seven minutes of the match starting, Erling Haaland saw his first attempt blocked. Haaland's early frustration didn't last long, as City continued to dominate the game and eventually took the lead.

Erling Haaland's struggles continued as he failed to score in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Fulham, marking his 24th non-penalty shot without finding the back of the net. This is Haaland's longest scoring drought since joining City in 2022. Despite his struggles, Haaland remains a threat, and City's attack was in full flow against Fulham.

Haaland's 91st shot on goal this season is more than any other player in the English top-flight in 2025/26. City's dominance was evident, with O'Reilly, Foden, and Rodri all having attempts on goal. The visitors were under pressure from the start, with City's 67% possession in the opening quarter hour setting the tone for the game.

City's midfield was in control, with Rodri dictating the pace of the game. The hosts' attack was relentless, with Foden and O'Reilly causing problems for Fulham's defense. The game was a clear example of City's dominance, and Fulham will be disappointed to have conceded three goals.

Antoine Semenyo scored again, finding the back of the net in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Fulham. His fourth goal in seven EPL games against the Cottagers was a poacher's finish, but it marked a significant milestone - Semenyo became the first City player to score in each of his first two home league appearances since in October 2015.

Semenyo's goal came just a minute after 's effort had Fulham threatening, showcasing the Ghanaian forward's timely presence in the box. This strike adds to Semenyo's impressive form, with 13 league goals this season and a total of 15 goals in all competitions.

Lightning struck twice for City within a minute, just on the half hour, as Harry Wilson's mistake gifted City a chance, and they didn't waste it. Nico O'Reilly's fine finish made it 2-0, with Antoine Semenyo getting the assist for his fourth of the season in the league.

O'Reilly's goal was his fourth of the season in all competitions, and it's clear he's making a big impact for City this season. The youngster's performances have been impressive, and he's becoming a key player for Pep Guardiola's team.

City's dominance was evident again, and Fulham struggled to cope with their pace and skill. The hosts' second goal was a great example of their teamwork, with quick passing and movement causing Fulham's defense problems.

Haaland Scores to Seal City's Win — Subbed at Half-Time

Erling Haaland scored his 22nd goal of the season, killing the game as a contest with Fulham. His eighth goal in eight appearances against the Cottagers was a reminder of his quality, and City's dominance was too much for Fulham to handle.

Haaland was subbed at the break, marking only the fourth time in his City career and first time since November 2023 vs Bournemouth. Pep Guardiola's decision to rest Haaland was likely due to the game being all but won, and City looking to manage their lead.

Fulham struggled to cope with Manchester City's game plan, particularly in the midfield where Rodri dominated. He had more touches (100), completed passes (86), and line-breaking passes (13) than anyone in the game before being subbed off in the 71st minute, exposing Fulham's lack of midfield presence.

City's dominance was evident, and Fulham's attempts to get back into the game were thwarted by City's solid defense and midfield control. Despite a flurry of shots after the break, Fulham couldn't find a way past City's goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The second half was a frustrating one for Fulham, as they struggled to deal with City's pace and skill. Rodri's performance was a key factor in City's win, and his influence was felt throughout the game.

Fulham's Missed Opportunities

Fulham will rue missed opportunities, having matched City for long periods in the passing stakes but failing to be incisive when it mattered. Alex Iwobi posted a 92.1% pass completion rate, and Joachim Anderson wasn't far behind on 90.3%, showcasing their ability to keep the ball

Despite neat and precise passing patterns, Fulham struggled to create meaningful chances. Ryan Sessegnon's 69.2% pass completion was a notable exception, but overall, the visitors lacked the cutting edge needed to trouble City's defense.

Kenny Tete and Raul Jimenez were Fulham's most proactive players, attempting 15 one-on-one duels each, but their success rate was low, winning just eight and seven of those, respectively. This highlights City's strong defensive presence, which limited Fulham's attacking opportunities.

Tete and Jimenez's stats show Fulham's reliance on individual battles, but City's team defense was well-organized, making it hard for them to break through. City's midfield control and defensive solidity were key to their win.

City's efficiency in front of goal was stark, with five shots in the box, all on target, highlighting their clinical edge. Fulham, on the other hand, had 12 shots from inside the 18-yard line but managed just three on target, showcasing their lack of precision.

Fulham's stats tell a story of frustration, winning more tackles (14 from 23) than City (11 from 22), but failing to capitalize on their defensive efforts. A less-than-satisfactory opening period contributed to a missed opportunity, and the chance to spring a surprise result slipped away.

Manchester City Under No Illusions – Win vs Fulham Turns Screw on Arsenal