Erling Haaland scored his 100th Premier League goal on Tuesday as Manchester City edged Fulham 5-4, surviving a dramatic late fightback to move within two points of the top of the table.
Haaland hit his milestone in the 17th minute, becoming the fastest player in Premier League history to reach a century of goals.
His strike, smashed home from close range, was his 100th in just 111 appearances, eclipsing Alan Shearer’s previous record of 124 games.
Yet the night that should have belonged to him almost unraveled as Fulham battled back from 5-1 down and came inches from snatching a stoppage-time equalizer when Josh King’s shot was cleared off the line.
“It’s not good enough and we all know this and we need to improve as a team,” Haaland told Sky Sports.
City’s win cut Arsenal’s lead at the summit ahead of their Wednesday clash with Brentford, but again exposed Pep Guardiola’s side defensively.
Just days after surrendering a two-goal advantage against Leeds — rescued only by Phil Foden’s late winner — City wobbled once more.
Tijani Reijnders and Foden added to Haaland’s opener as City went into the break 3-1 up, with Emile Smith Rowe reducing the deficit for Fulham.
Foden grabbed his second early in the second half, and a Sander Berge own goal seemed to settle matters before Fulham roared back.
Alex Iwobi’s curling effort sparked the comeback, and Samuel Chukwueze struck twice in six minutes to set up a frantic finale. Josko Gvardiol’s crucial goal-line clearance spared City’s blushes.
“I know you’re going to ask what happened — I don’t have an answer. It’s the Premier League, right?” Guardiola said afterward.
