Calvin Bassey returned to Fulham’s starting lineup after an impressive Africa Cup of Nations campaign, but his comeback was far from the dream scenario at the Etihad Stadium.
The Nigerian defender faced a tough night as Fulham fell 3-0 to Manchester City.
Calvin Bassey Starts Against City but Fulham Struggle
Bassey marked his first start for Fulham since December 13, when the Cottagers claimed a narrow 3-2 win before his AFCON commitments.
His comeback had been cautious: missing the 1-0 loss at Leeds due to suspension, an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over Brighton, a brief five-minute cameo at Manchester United, and sitting out the home defeat to Everton.
Against City, manager Marco Silva trusted Bassey in the heart of the defence for the full 90 minutes.
Despite his presence, Fulham struggled to contain a dominant City side, conceding three goals before halftime. The result shows the gap between the Cottagers and the league’s elite.
Manchester City, chasing Premier League leaders Arsenal, were relentless from the start.
Phil Foden threatened early, and Antoine Semenyo’s defensive lapse allowed City to open the scoring.
Although Fulham looked for a quick reply, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s crucial saves kept City ahead.
Nico O’Reilly doubled the lead following Semenyo’s assist, and Erling Haaland sealed the 3-0 scoreline with a stunning strike from distance.
City Dominate as Fulham Fail to Respond
After halftime, Fulham briefly tried to assert themselves but lacked the cutting edge to challenge City.
Guardiola rotated his squad in the final stages, with City comfortably securing their 20th consecutive win over Fulham across all competitions.
The result also extended City’s unbeaten home league streak to 12 games, keeping the pressure high in the title race.
While Bassey’s night was challenging, it was not reflective of his AFCON form that earned him a spot in the tournament’s Best XI.
The Nigerian defender will now look to regain confidence and form as Fulham face crucial fixtures in the Premier League.