Erling Haaland Hits 100 PL Goals as City Hold On 5–4 vs Fulham — What a Night at Craven Cottage

At Craven Cottage, under floodlights and pressure, Manchester City edged out Fulham 5–4 in what will go down as one of the most frenetic Premier League games in recent memory. But beyond the goals, what made this fixture historic was Erling Haaland’s milestone — his 100th Premier League goal in just 111 matches, making him the fastest player ever to reach the 100-goal mark.

City seemed en route to a comfortable win as they raced to a 5–1 lead. Four minutes later, however, the game turned into a different beast — Fulham showed grit, passion and relentless fightback, scoring three successive goals and haunting City until the final whistle. The tenacity of the underdogs nearly forced a draw, only to be denied by a dramatic last-ditch goal-line clearance by Joško Gvardiol.

Match Timeline & Key Moments

17′ — Haaland (1–0 & 100th PL Goal)

Haaland smashed in a cutback from Jérémy Doku with his favoured left foot, reaching 100 Premier League goals in just 111 matches — 13 fewer than previous record-holder Alan Shearer.

37′ — Reijnders (2–0)

A composed finish from midfield doubled City’s lead.

44′ — Foden (3–0)

Phil Foden curled a beautiful effort just before half-time, signalling total dominance.

45+1′ — Smith-Rowe (3–1)

Just before the break, Fulham pulled one back — a glimmer of hope that would eventually ignite a comeback.

54′ — Sander Berge Own Goal (4–1)

An unfortunate deflection off Sander Berge made it 4–1, and the match looked all but done.

58′ — Foden (5–1)

Foden struck again early in the second half — his brace adding to City’s cushion and sense of control.

57′ — Iwobi (5–2)

But Fulham weren’t done — Alex Iwobi curled in a fine strike to keep the hope alive.

72′ & 78′ — Chukwueze Double (5–4)

Substitute Samuel Chukwueze scored twice in quick succession, rattling City and setting up a frantic final 15 minutes.

90+ — Goal-Line Clearance by GvardiolIn stoppage time

Fulham came within a whisker of equalising, only for a superb goal-line block from Joško Gvardiol to deny them — and seal a wild 5–4 win for City.

Haaland’s 100-Goal Landmark — What It Means

• By reaching 100 Premier League goals in 111 appearances, Haaland becomes the fastest-ever player to hit the century mark — eclipsing Alan Shearer’s 124-match record.

• His goal-scoring rate remains phenomenal — around 0.9 goals per game — underscoring his ruthless efficiency in front of goal.

• At just 25 years old and under contract until 2034, Haaland is perfectly positioned to challenge the Premier League’s all-time scoring record, already belonging to Shearer.

  
  

The goal — neatly placed into the bottom corner — was more than a statistic. It symbolised a generational milestone, a statement of intent, and a reminder: in Erling Haaland, Premier League defenders now face a new standard of clinical excellence.

Fulham’s Fightback: Courage, Chaos & Nearly the Unthinkable

For much of the game, Fulham’s night seemed written — 5–1 down, with the scoreboard, momentum, and morale stacked against them. But what followed was pure grit and attacking spirit:

• Relentless attacking transitions: Once they smelled a chance, Fulham poured forward, exploited spaces, and hit back with quality strikes — particularly from Iwobi and Chukwueze.

• Psychological belief: The timing of the first goal — just before halftime — gave them impetus. The comeback sparked confidence, and the final 20 minutes had them believe.

• Almost rewriting history: A last-minute attempt from Josh King could’ve salvaged a draw; only a heroic clearance from Gvardiol denied them. The result: a loss, but also massive credit for heart and character.

  
  

In a game where the gap seemed insurmountable, Fulham proved that even blown leads are never safe around Craven Cottage.

Implications for the Season — What This Means for Both Teams

Manchester City

• The win boosts City’s momentum, bringing them within two points of league leaders.

• But the late scare highlights defensive vulnerabilities — a warning sign that could haunt them in tighter title races.

• Haaland’s milestone might shift tactical focus further in his favor: with him prolific and lethal, City’s attacking identity becomes even more defined.

Fulham

• The narrow loss hides a statement of intent: a previously modest side just pushed one of the league’s giants to the brink.

• Defensive lapses cost them dearly — yet their attacking spirit and belief offer hope for future matches.

• The near-comeback generates confidence: if they can maintain momentum, Fulham could steal points with grit and opportunism.

Final Thoughts: A Game to Remember — For History and Heart

Tuesday night at Craven Cottage offered everything football fans crave: milestone records, relentless attacking waves, dramatic comebacks, and near misses.

For Haaland, it was a historic landmark — 100 Premier League goals in record time. For Fulham, it was proof that underdogs still have a place in modern football’s high-stakes arenas.

City walked away with the points but anyone who witnessed the match knows the night belonged to drama, belief, and the kind of unpredictability that keeps football alive.

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