Manchester City put on a blistering first-half display at the Etihad Stadium to seize control of their Premier League clash against Fulham, leading 3-0 at halftime on February 11, 2026. With the pressure mounting in the title race, Pep Guardiola’s men looked every bit the contenders, capitalizing on Fulham’s recent struggles and their own momentum from a dramatic win at Liverpool just days prior.
The atmosphere in Manchester was electric as kickoff approached, with fans keenly aware of the stakes. City entered the match sitting second in the league, boasting 50 points from 25 matches—just behind leaders Arsenal. Fulham, meanwhile, arrived at the Etihad in 12th place, having endured three defeats in their last four outings and eager to reverse their fortunes against a side they’ve historically struggled to contain.
Both managers had to navigate injury headaches. For City, Jeremy Doku (calf), Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture), Mateo Kovacic (ankle/heel), and Savinho (unspecified) were all sidelined. Guardiola’s starting eleven featured Donnarumma in goal; a back line of Nunes, Dias, Guehi, and Aït-Nouri; a midfield trio of Rodri, O’Reilly, and Bernardo; and a front three of Foden, Semenyo, and Haaland. Fulham, missing Sasa Lukic (thigh) and Tom Cairney (calf), lined up with Leno between the posts, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, and Sessegnon in defense, Iwobi and Berge anchoring midfield, and an attacking quartet of Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze, and Jimenez.
From the opening whistle, Manchester City pressed their advantage. The hosts wasted little time asserting themselves, with fluid passing and relentless movement creating early chances. Fulham’s defense, already under scrutiny after recent lapses, was soon under siege. Attempts by Phil Foden and Rodri signaled City’s intent, but it was Antoine Semenyo who broke the deadlock. In the 12th minute, Semenyo pounced from close range, slotting home after a well-worked move and giving City a 1-0 lead.
The Etihad faithful barely had time to catch their breath before City struck again. Nico O’Reilly, a rising star in Guardiola’s squad, showcased his composure and finishing prowess. In the 24th minute, Semenyo turned provider, threading a clever through ball to O’Reilly, who finished with a deft left-footed shot into the high center of the net. City were 2-0 up, and Fulham looked rattled.
Fulham’s attempts to respond were met with fierce resistance from City’s defense and the imposing presence of Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal. Raúl Jiménez, Fulham’s focal point in attack, managed a couple of efforts—the most notable a powerful header that Donnarumma expertly tipped over. Harry Wilson and Smith Rowe tried to spark something for the visitors, but City’s back line and midfield stifled any sustained threat.
As the half wore on, tempers flared and the match grew physical. Bernardo Silva received a yellow card for a late challenge, as did Fulham’s Joachim Andersen for a foul moments later. The referee’s whistle was a frequent sound, with fouls from both sides disrupting the flow but adding to the intensity of the contest. Rayan Aït-Nouri and Sander Berge were also involved in heated midfield battles, with the latter conceding a free kick after a tangle with O’Reilly.
City’s dominance was underlined just before the break. In the 40th minute, Erling Haaland—already in fine form after his stoppage-time heroics at Anfield—added his name to the scoresheet. A lightning-quick counterattack saw Phil Foden race forward and slip a pass to Haaland, who unleashed a left-footed rocket from outside the box. The ball nestled into the bottom right corner, leaving Leno with no chance and the home crowd in raptures. City’s third goal capped a half of clinical finishing and relentless pressure.
Fulham, to their credit, carved out a handful of opportunities. Jiménez found space for a right-footed shot that drifted just wide, while Chukwueze’s ambitious effort from distance sailed harmlessly over. Alex Iwobi’s drive was blocked by City’s defense, and Wilson’s well-struck attempt was smothered by Donnarumma. But the visitors’ lack of precision in the final third and City’s defensive organization kept the scoreline heavily in the hosts’ favor.
As the halftime whistle blew, Manchester City’s 3-0 lead felt both commanding and deserved. The stats told the story: City’s attack was ruthless, their possession overwhelming, and their defense disciplined. Fulham, meanwhile, faced the daunting task of mounting a second-half comeback against a side they had failed to beat in their last 22 meetings—20 of which ended in City’s favor. The most recent encounters had been especially one-sided, with City winning all five previous matches, including a 5-4 thriller at Craven Cottage just two months ago.
Broadcast coverage of the match reflected its international appeal. Fans in the United States tuned in via Peacock, while those in the UK and Ireland watched on TNT Sports 4 and discovery+. Canadian viewers caught the action on DAZN and fuboTV, and Australian fans followed along on Stan Sport. The global audience was treated to a showcase of Premier League football at its highest level, with City’s title ambitions and Fulham’s fight for mid-table respectability both on full display.
There were no substitutions in the first half, as both managers stuck with their starting elevens. According to BBC Sport, player ratings would open after the final whistle, giving fans a chance to weigh in on individual performances. With the match still ongoing, the focus remained firmly on the pitch as the second half loomed—a test of City’s ability to maintain their dominance and Fulham’s resolve to claw their way back.
As things stand, Manchester City are on course to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the table, while Fulham face a steep climb if they hope to salvage something from the contest. With 45 minutes left to play, all eyes are on the Etihad to see if Fulham can mount an unlikely comeback or if City will continue their relentless pursuit of Premier League glory.