Manchester City crushed Fulham 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Monday evening but one goal proved highly contentious. Nathan Ake headed in a header right before half-time after Tim Ream had cancelled out Julian Alvarez's initial opener and Cottagers protested vehemently after it went in.

They argued that Manuel Akanji was offside in front of goalkeeper Bernd Leno and that this should have led to the overturning of the decision.

Julian Alvarez

City lead 2-1 at half-time despite missing Jack Grealish and suffering an injury to Tom Cairney. City began slowly without their star player but quickly found their rhythm with Phil Foden filling in on the left for injured Grealish Jeremy Doku as soon as his shift took effect. Soon enough Phil found his groove, leading City towards victory 2-1.

At half-hour, their hosts were stunned by a bizarre decision from video assistant referee Tony Harrington: Manuel Akanji was found not guilty of interfering with Nathan Ake's header when it passed over him; Bernd Leno immediately dived, but could not prevent its goal.

Fulham attempted to mount a comeback, with Pereira passing a long ball down the left for Raul Jimenez but his touch was too weak and Ederson seized it at full stretch, giving Fulham one final chance in the first half.

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Tim Ream

On a day where Erling Haaland claimed his seventh hat-trick for Manchester City, fans will remember most vividly Nathan Ake's controversial goal against Fulham on social media. Julian Alvarez put Fulham ahead at Etihad Stadium but they quickly fell back after Nathan Ake headed in from a Phil Foden corner headed by Nathan Ake. Cottagers claimed Switzerland defender Marcel Reus had been offside and blocked goalkeeper Bernd Leno's view; but the goal stood despite a VAR review process.

Fulham were left furious by this decision and stormed off at half-time in protest, yet were powerless to prevent City from increasing their lead to 3-1 when Haaland converted from the penalty spot in the 70th minute. Alvarez then flicked the ball on to Haaland who hit Issa Diop with an audacious 12-yard effort - this decision being upheld by VAR before ending 5-1 to City.

Phil Foden

After an inauspicious first half, City steadied themselves during the second period and doubled their advantage just before 60 minutes through Erling Haaland after Julian Alvarez set him loose with an assist.

Foden was an invaluable member of midfield and provided the assist for Alvarez's goal with an exquisite pass. Additionally, he created seven chances for his teammates while showing great creativity from central positions.

Foden appeared to have won an obvious penalty after being caught by McCarthy as the midfielder attempted to collect a back pass, but VAR disagreed and replays showed he was clearly offside directly in front of Bernd Leno keeper Bernd Leno's sightline, sparking massive protests from Marco Silva who eventually saw City head into international break at the top.

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Manuel Akanji

Every week at the Etihad Stadium there seems to be one big call that sends Fulham manager Marco Silva reeling with anger after Nathan Ake's controversial goal for City. On this particular weekend he was left fuming over Nathan Ake's goal which gave City the lead.

Akanji was quick to respond to Phil Foden's inswinging corner, cushioning his header so forcefully that it eluded Bernd Leno and found its way into the bottom corner. Unfortunately, however, Akanji was several yards offside and blocked Leno's line of vision, meaning his goal should have been disallowed.

Numerous pundits - such as former referee Mike Dean and Erling Haaland himself - have strongly objected to the decision and felt it was indefensible that City were allowed to score from this goal, with Fulham's players and coaches furious when their side were defeated and went on to beat them 5-1.