Erling Haaland hits 100 Premier League goals in Manchester Citys thrilling 5-4 victory over Fulham
Erling Haaland etched his name into the record books during Manchester Citys exhilarating 5-4 triumph over Fulham on Tuesday, becoming the quickest player to net 100 Premier League goals.
The Norwegian forwards sharp strike in the opening period at Craven Cottage marked his milestone in only 111 top-flight outings for the Sky Blues.
This feat eclipsed the benchmark established by ex-Newcastle and Blackburn forward Alan Shearer, who required 124 games to hit the same mark.
Following Haalands historic contribution, Phil Foden added a brace to propel City to a commanding 5-1 advantage.
However, Fulham mounted a fierce comeback in the latter stages, netting three goals, though their efforts came agonisingly close to success when Josko Gvardiol blocked Josh Kings effort right at the death.
City, sitting in second, narrowed the gap to Arsenal at the summit to just two points, with the Gunners facing Brentford in their postponed fixture on Wednesday.
The champions now boast an unbeaten streak of 19 encounters against Fulham across all tournaments, the longest such sequence by any side in English football annals.
Still reeling from letting slip a two-goal lead in their narrow 3-2 escape against Leeds at the weekend, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola must address concerns over his sides defensive frailties once more.
To catch Arsenal and secure an unprecedented seventh Premier League crown under Guardiola, the team will rely on Haalands extraordinary scoring prowess to continue.
The striker had endured a brief barren spell, failing to find the net in his prior three matches versus Newcastle, Bayer Leverkusen, and Leeds.
The 25-year-old, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, snapped that run with this latest highlight in his impressive tenure at the Etihad.
Nevertheless, surpassing Shearers landmark as the leagues greatest goalscorer with 260 strikes remains a distant ambition for the ex-England skipper.
City hold firm
Haaland delivered a sublime effort to give City the lead in the 17th minute, taking his league tally to 15 this season and 20 overall.
Jeremy Dokus accurate low cross found Haaland, who arrived with impeccable timing to rifle a powerful shot from 12 yards that flew beyond Fulham custodian Bernd Leno.
Switching roles, Haaland set up the second in the 37th minute with a moment of class, as City extended their edge.
Demonstrating power and composure, he carved out room to thread a precise ball to Reijnders, allowing the Dutchman to loft a delicate lob over Leno for his first strike since August.
Foden made it three just before the break in the 44th minute, unleashing a stunning drive into the top corner from outside the box.
Emile Smith Rowe pulled one back for the hosts in added time of the first half, nodding in from Harry Wilsons delivery past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Yet Foden, fresh off a double against Leeds, rediscovered his touch and seemed to seal the points three minutes into the second half.
Excelling in a more withdrawn playmaking position this campaign, the England international slotted home coolly from a tight angle after Haaland nodded Dokus pass his way.
The visitors pressed on, and in the 54th minute, Dokus bending shot from distance took a wicked deflection for an own goal by Sander Berge.
Post that, Guardiolas squad unravelled, with Alex Iwobi calmly finishing from 18 yards in the 57th minute.
Fulham gained further momentum when Samuel Chukwueze rifled in his debut goal for the club in the 72nd minute, heightening Citys nerves, especially after another Chukwueze shot wriggled through bodies following Donnarummas mishandling of a set-piece corner in the 78th minute.
In the end, City steadied themselves during eight added minutes to safeguard Haalands memorable evening.