Player Ratings: Fulham 0-4 Manchester City

It wasn’t an unexpected result, but it was still a shame to not even lay a glove on the champions. Here’s how the boys did.

Bernd Leno

There was little Bernd did wrong against a City team that was bound to have multiple shots on goal, there were a few notable saves from Bernado Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Haaland. These are the kind of saves we’ve become accustomed to seeing. However, Leno will be disappointed with the first goal given that it was a finish by a player not known for his prowess in front of goal. That said it was good move down Fulham’s right flank, and the fact he was allowed that amount of space and time is a redeeming element of Leno’s capacity to save Fulham in that instance. The third goal will feel like a very unenforced error for Leno though. Gvardiol just managed to stretch enough to get contact on the ball and it crept under Leno, he didn’t anticipate the volley well enough. It trickled over the line. Leno kicking the goal cam behind the net in frustration, tells you everything you need to know. Like a lot of players today, he’ll feel he could have done more. 6.5/10

Antonee Robinson

This wasn’t his best display. Regularly marauding forward, Antonee was asked to do some defensive work and didn’t cover himself in glory. A few notably good tackles and one major run forward where he should have perhaps opted to shoot were the highlights. The lowlight consisted of the way City got their second and fourth goals. Antonee rushed into a 50/50 that he lost to the guile of Bernado Silva, at which point he had the freedom to attack the box. Antonee’s decision to push in that moment was a sign of being too eager, and perhaps a more experienced head would have rushed to press rather than to win the ball. The fourth goal came from being out classed by Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis who caught him out by outnumbering him. He didn’t know who to track and in the end City got in behind and won the penalty. Antonee will need to learn to hold back against high quality, a rare yellow was a sign of inexperience, doing more defending will be the true test of his long-term ability. 5/10

Issa Diop

Couldn’t deal with Haaland all game, and eventually got sent off. Perhaps unfairly given the shot had already been taken, but Diop did look a tad out of his depth. In previous games we’ve seen him venture forward and ultimately do well as a ball carrier, but in this game, he was asked to be disciplined and distribute in a simple and straightforward way. He couldn’t quite follow up on this challenge, he got away with a few scrappy moments when he just about got the ball clear and could have done a lot more to help out on the first goal by getting across to help Timothy Castange. The red card did sum up a very sloppy display. Such a shame after a great performance against Brentford the week before. 4.5/10

Calvin Bassey

Bassey was his usual combative self, distributing the ball well and dealt with Haaland much better than Diop. He did make a few errors when diving in but kept his composure well enough to avoid a booking and sheparding instead of diving in. Ultimately though, he suffered without a great partner alongside him and at times the lack of communication was evident. A new pairing for Bassey will be crucial going forward. 5.5/10

Timothy Castange

The best performer in Fulham’s backline, won the ball back high up the pitch and not a pushover. He wasn’t helped by Bobby De Cordova Reid’s performance on the right flank for the first goal as Gvardiol was allowed to run forward untracked. He made up for the goal down his flank by an almost errorless performance. Perhaps he needed the support of a player he is more used to having on his right flank in Alex Iwobi. 6.5/10 – Man of the Match

Joao Palhinha

Running around and tackling all on his own was tough for him. A deep lying playmaker who wasn’t keen on defending proved a real test, which he didn’t pass with flying colours. Arguably at fault for the second goal where his half tackle allowed the ball to drop to Foden who took his opportunity. He has plenty of redeeming qualities and showed them throughout, but if he’s looking to take on the responsibility of a ball winning midfielder without a defensive minded player alongside him, then he might not be so tempted by a move to Munich, albeit they’ll be asking less of him with the amount of possession a team like that has. 6/10

Alex Iwobi

Not his position, the blame should be on Marco who attempted to ‘go for it’ with this selection. He was running around the midfield not knowing whether to push on or hold, on the rare times he broke through you could sense he was bound by his defensive responsibilities. An experiment from Marco that didn’t pay off. However, Marco did learn that Iwobi could play in the 10 if asked, when he broke through, he kept the ball and pushed Fulham forward. His dribbling kept him out of trouble sometimes, against a lesser team he could take on AP’s position and free up Andreas even more on the left or right if Marco chose to switch it up next year. 5.5/10

Willian

I think we know who suggested the kite flying. A complete non-feature from start to finish, didn’t want the ball and looked severely off the pace. Willian is already on the beach, who can blame him, arguably Fulham’s shining light has done so much already this season and can consider it a job done. For that reason Marco should not have started him. He realised that mistake quickly, and so substituted him at half time. 5/10

Andreas Pereira

Good corners, sharp dribbling and an early break were his best moments. But the whole of the attacking line had an off day, City kept the ball for long spells and Andreas could only really conduct play from inside his own half. Andreas should have shot on sight when he had the chance and very rarely did that chance occur. He’s been impressive this year in certain spells, that said he doesn’t have the consistency and in big games this year he has sometimes gone missing. If things go well whilst on duty in Brazil, he’ll continue to improve. There is a great player in there, but he will struggle to show his best against top teams without international experience. 5.5/10

Bobby De Cordova-Reid

A terrier who showed desire, but not much more. Didn’t track Gvardiol for the first goal and failed to link up with Castagne effectively. Bobby is a great player, and when he plays with his head, there are few players like him. However, his lack of attacking prowess against a quality backline showed. In a season where Bobby has very rarely disappointed, he has shown he’s still got to work on his focus when it comes to defending from the front and combining with teammates. Running over to Marco for instructions when the first goal went in was a sign of a player who knew it was going to be a tough afternoon. He was run ragged and barely got any joy. Also replaced. 5.5/10

Rodrigo Muniz

Very little service but made a nuisance of himself and got the ball under control and held up play well. The referee did him no favours. On another day he wins the freekicks and helps the team up the pitch. Very few opportunities came his way and he’ll have more opportunities next weekend against Luton. 6.5/10

Substitutes

Adama Traore

Runs forward well and gets up ahead of steam in moments. It will always be about his decision making in the final third, his end product continues to be his biggest issue. He has a future in a Fulham shirt, he will need more minutes and significant improvements on his technique to make the most of his time in white. 5.5/10

Tom Cairney

Brought pragmatism to the midfield but had limited options and wasn’t quick enough to release the ball when Fulham looked to break. Linked up with the team but not often enough and didn’t carry the ball forward when in possession. 5.5/10

Armando Broja

Little service and no chances fell his way. 5/10

Harry Wilson

Should have started the game and looked a threat on the break. 5/10