Haaland hits 100th PL goals as Man City survive 9-goal chaos at Craven Cottage

Manchester City survived a chaotic, breathless contest at Craven Cottage, narrowly overcoming Fulham 5–4 in one of the most dramatic Premier League matches of the season.

Pep Guardiola’s side looked in full control early on, yet were forced to withstand a furious late comeback from Marco Silva’s men before escaping west London with all three points.

City signalled their intent from the opening whistle, dominating possession and carving open Fulham’s defensive lines with ease. The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute, and it was historic: Erling Haaland powered home a Jeremy Doku cross to score his 100th Premier League goal, reaching the milestone in just 111 matches — 13 games fewer than Alan Shearer’s long-standing record.

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Twenty minutes later, Haaland turned creator. Slipping a perfectly weighted pass between Fulham’s centre-backs, he released Tijjani Reijnders, who delicately lifted the ball over Bernd Leno for his second league goal since joining in August.

City appeared to be cruising, but Fulham found life on the brink of halftime. In stoppage time, Emile Smith Rowe stooped to glance in a Harry Wilson delivery, giving the home crowd a flicker of belief heading into the break.

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Any momentum Fulham hoped to build evaporated early in the second half. After a poor clearance from Leno, Phil Foden curled in a superb strike from the edge of the area, restoring City’s two-goal cushion. Moments later, a speculative effort from Doku took an unfortunate deflection off Sander Berge and crept into the Fulham net to make it 4–1.

But from that point, the game descended into chaos.

Against the run of play, Alex Iwobi ignited Fulham’s comeback, punishing another loose clearance with a precise low drive into the bottom corner from a distance. The Nigerian’s strike breathed confidence into Fulham, and the hosts suddenly swarmed forward with renewed purpose.

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City’s defensive frailties were exposed again in the 72nd minute when Samuel Chukwueze lashed a half-volley past Donnarumma after more hesitant defending. Incredibly, the winger struck again six minutes later—this time from the opposite side—beating the City goalkeeper with another crisp finish as panic began to ripple through Guardiola’s side.

Fulham sensed an equaliser, but despite the unrelenting pressure, City held firm. A crucial goalline clearance by Joško Gvardiol in the closing stages spared the champions from an embarrassing collapse and ensured they held on for a victory that took them within two points of league leaders Arsenal, who still have a game in hand.

Fulham, meanwhile, delivered one of their most spirited performances of the season.