Man City needed Josko Gvardiol’s goal-line clearance in stoppage time to survive a stunning second-half fightback from Fulham and break a nine-goal thriller at Craven Cottage.
From 5-1 down, Fulham fought back brilliantly with three goals and almost completed an almost incredible comeback in the 97th minute, with Gvardiol simply hooking Josh King’s shot over goal.
It all seemed routine for City, who were just two points behind league leaders Arsenal. Erling Haaland broke the ice by scoring his 100th Premier League goal. Tijani Lijnders added a second goal soon after, and Phil Foden added a third just before half-time. However, Emile Smith-Rowe gave Fulham a glimmer of hope in first-half stoppage time.
City bounced back after the break and looked to have burst Fulham’s bubble with Foden’s second goal three minutes after the restart. In the 54th minute, Jeremy Doku’s deflected shot found its way into Sander Berge’s goal and the game looked to be out of doubt.
But the mood changed in west London when Alex Iwobi fired in from the edge of the box.
Fulham smelled blood after learning that City had conceded a two-goal lead before Foden’s late winner against Leeds on Saturday. Substitute Samuel Chukwueze scored Fulham’s third goal at half-time, and the Nigeria international added another within six minutes.
A lengthy VAR check provided the only respite in the game as six minutes were needed to assess whether there had been offside before Chukwueze’s sensational second shot.
But despite Fulham’s brave strike and eight minutes of added stoppage time, City held on and are closing the gap on Arsenal, who play Brentford on Sky on Wednesday night.
Pep: “I couldn’t believe Haaland’s goals”
Man City manager Josep Guardiola says he would not have believed Erling Haaland’s goal tally if he had heard that the Norwegian striker only took 111 games to score in the Premier League.
He said: “If you told me he was going to score 100 of his 111 goals, I would say: ‘Really? In this league?'”
“We’ve had some of the best strikers in this country, he’s one of them, but he’s not the best.
“It’s a matter of numbers and he’s not in the discussion. I’m happy for him and I’m glad the team was able to contribute this day for him.”
Silva: I’m going to look at it positively.
Fulham deserved a last-minute equalizer to salvage a four-goal deficit against Man City on Tuesday, insists head coach Marco Silva.
“In terms of character, of course what they showed was impressive,” he said.
“Normally when you play a team like City and lose by a heavy score, whether it’s home or away, a lot of things go through your mind.
“It would be tempting to react after City’s fifth goal, but the damage is done and you might think it’s better not to take the risk and make things worse.
“The reaction from the boys and the fans was unbelievable. Considering that, we probably deserved the fifth point.”
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Erling Haaland scores his 100th Premier League goal in the fastest time ever!
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Tijani Lijnders doubles Man City’s lead with a ‘delicious’ finish against Fulham!
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Man City’s Phil Foden Stanner scores his third goal against Fulham!
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Fulham’s Emile Smith Rowe returns home to score just before half-time against Manchester City in the Premier League
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Man City improve after a dominant start to the second half against Fulham, with Phil Foden scoring his second goal.
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Jeremy Doku’s deflected strike loops over Leno to earn City their fifth goal against Fulham!
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Alex Iwobi’s long-range strike gives Fulham another point back against Manchester City at Craven Cottage!
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Samuel Chukwueze takes Fulham to ONE vs. Man City!
