Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 100 goals in Premier League history on a night when Manchester City piled more pressure on leaders Arsenal by seeing off Fulham’s impressive fightback.
Norway international Haaland got his milestone goal in the 17th minute, firing in first time from Jeremy Doku’s cross at the Craven Cottage.
The goal meant he reached the landmark in 111 league games, 13 fewer than it took previous record holder Alan Shearer.
The goal also ended a mini drought for Haaland, having gone three consecutive games without scoring. It was his 15th goal in 14 league games this season but was just a taste of what was to come.
Haaland, though, turned provider as half-time approached, setting up Tijjani Reijnders before the Netherlands international chipped over the onrushing Bernd Leno.
Before long, City were three to the good courtesy of Phil Foden’s stunning strike from outside the box.
While Fulham were given a lesson in clinical finishing by their opponents in the first period, they did give themselves hope by reducing the deficit prior to the interval via Smith Rowe’s clever header.
That hope appeared to have been extinguished within 10 minutes of the restart as Doku’s shot deflected in off Sander Berge to put City in a seemingly unassailable 5-1 lead.
But Fulham would not give in and Alex Iwobi curled in their second from 20 yards to signal a continuing threat to Man City, before substitute Samuel Chukwueze had the home side dreaming of an incredible comeback.
First, he drove in from a cross, before placing a neat finish into the back of the net six minutes later.
Roared on by a bewildered home crowd, Fulham pushed for an equaliser, but Josh King saw a late chance cleared off the line as they were ultimately unable to find a goal that would have capped off one of the most incredible comebacks in Premier League history.
Man City have now won four of their last five league games, while this is Fulham’s first loss in three games and second home league defeat of the season.
Pep Guardiola’s side are also just two points behind Arsenal, having played a game more, with the Gunners hosting Brentford on Wednesday.
Fulham, meanwhile, are six points above the relegation zone but have played a game more than those sides below them.
