Manchester City finished third in the Premier League as they beat Fulham on the final day to ensure a place in the Champions League next term.
Pep Guardiola’s fallen champions – they went into the season on the back of four straight Premier League titles – have endured a miserable campaign, failing to win a major trophy for the first time since 2017 and ending 13 points behind champions Liverpool.
City dominated the opening stages and deservedly took the lead on 21 minutes courtesy of Ilkay Gundogan’s stunning bicycle kick – his first league goal of the campaign – after Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno pushed Matheus Nunes’ cross into the German’s path.
Fulham, though, responded well as Harry Wilson’s low curling effort was tipped away from goal by Ederson at full stretch, with Andreas Pereira only able to find the side-netting as he followed up.
Josko Gvardiol saw a header saved by Leno at point-blank range and Erling Haaland added a second from the penalty spot after Jorge Cuenca’s trip on Gundogan.
Fulham could not find a way back and defeat was their 10th since the turn of the year, meaning they end the campaign in 12th position.