Erling Haaland etched his name into Premier League history books, becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals as Manchester City narrowly escaped with a 5-4 victory against a resilient Fulham side. The nine-goal spectacle at Craven Cottage saw City increase the pressure on league leaders Arsenal.
Haaland's Historic Goal
The Norwegian international achieved his landmark goal in the 17th minute, expertly converting Jeremy Doku's cross. This incredible feat saw him reach the century mark in just 111 league games, surpassing Alan Shearer's previous record by 13 games. The goal also ended a brief scoring drought for Haaland, marking his 15th goal in 14 league games this season.
A High-Scoring Affair
Haaland continued to influence the game, providing the assist for Manchester City's second goal, setting up Tijjani Reijnders who calmly slotted the ball past Bernd Leno. Phil Foden, in excellent form, added City's third, seemingly putting the game beyond Fulham's reach. However, Fulham responded with an Emile Smith Rowe header, keeping their hopes alive.
Foden struck again shortly after the break, extending City's lead. Doku's shot, deflected off Sander Berge, appeared to seal the victory for City at 5-1. But Fulham refused to surrender.
Fulham's Valiant Fightback
Alex Iwobi's stunning curler from 20 yards ignited Fulham's comeback. Substitute Samuel Chukwueze then scored twice in quick succession, sending shockwaves through the City defence and fueling dreams of an improbable draw. Ultimately, City managed to hold on, securing a vital three points.
The match showcased not only Haaland's brilliance but also the resilience and fighting spirit of Fulham, making it a memorable encounter for Premier League fans.