Pep Guardiola says that Manchester City conquers a Champions League place, “as a title” feels after a disappointing campaign.
City defeated Fulham 2-0 on the last day of the Premier League season to guarantee a third place and to ensure that they would again participate in the next campaign in Europe Premier Competition.
Ilkay Gundogan scored a sensational overhead kick in the first half before he won the second half of a fine that ensured that the points, with Erling Haaland gambled from 12 yards.
It sealed a 15th consecutive victory for City over Fulham, the outright longest winning run that has recorded one side about the other in the history of the top four of England (catching up City against Bournemouth – 14).
And after having undergone a rough patch in the middle of the campaign, City ended the Premier League season undefeated in 10 (W7 D3). It is their longest streak of the season and the best run without defeat on each side to end the 2024-25 campaign.
It is only the second time in Guardiola's management career that he finished outside the top two in a competition campaign, but the Spaniard was happy with their performance.
“We started really well and then we had the momentum,” Guardiola told BBC Motd about the victory in Craven Cottage.
“It was in our hands and we did our work. It has been a difficult year, but we never gave up. I am very proud and satisfied for the team. Now we will recover and next season will be better.
“Are [Champions League qualification] As a title, because of the obstacles. If you continue [a run of poor form]You end 10th, 11th, 12th or 13th.
“This is the fate of all teams in the Premier League when they are in November, December or January, and you can't fight for the Premier League, as you have done for many years.
“People can say:” I don't want to fight again, just to be eligible for the Europa League. “We kept playing well, and we were there [in position to seal Champions League qualification] And we did it.
“At the end we finished third, not miles away from Arsenal, but the distance to Liverpool is huge. We have to improve, and hopefully we can do it.”
Fulham finally finished the season in 11th place at 54 points, although that is a club record point for them in the Premier League.
The cottagers had their chances, with Harry Wilson forced two smart stops from Edererson when they gathered 1.74 expected goals (XG), while Sander Berge was also denied a comfort.
Have questions about the future of Marco Silva in Fulham, where the Portuguese are connected to people like Tottenham or Saudi Pro League-Kant Al-Hilal.
However, he has confirmed that he will still be in Craven Cottage next season.
“I will stay in Fulham,” he said Talksport. “I will be here next season. The decision will be made.”