City were ruthless in the first half, scoring three goals in a 15-minute blitz that left Fulham reeling. Their 4-3-3 formation allowed for fluid movement and quick transitions, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland at the heart of most attacks. Rodri anchored the midfield with authority, while the backline, marshaled by Rúben Dias and Marc Guéhi, rarely looked troubled. After the interval, City managed the game efficiently, keeping Fulham at arm’s length and controlling the tempo. The hosts' discipline was evident, conceding only eight fouls and picking up three yellows in a largely composed display.

Fulham started brightly but were undone by City’s ruthless efficiency in the opening half. Despite matching City’s shot count (14 to City’s 13), their efforts lacked precision, with only three shots on target. The 4-2-3-1 setup struggled to contain City’s midfield runners, and the defense was exposed during City’s first-half surge. In the second half, Fulham steadied themselves and created some opportunities, but lacked the cutting edge to threaten a comeback. Bernd Leno made several important saves, but the damage had already been done.