In a match that will be replayed for decades, Manchester City clawed back a nail-biting 5-4 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 — a game that ended at 9:56 p.m. local time and delivered nine goals, heart-stopping drama, and a historic milestone. Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, 25, buried his 100th Premier League goal in the 16th minute, becoming the fastest player in league history to reach the landmark — doing so in just 111 appearances. The win moved City to 28 points, two behind league leaders Arsenal, and sent shockwaves through the title race.
A First-Half Masterclass
Manchester City came out like a team possessed. Within 16 minutes, Haaland had done the unthinkable: a clinical finish past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, sending the away fans into delirium. He hit the post twice more — each time a reminder of his lethal precision. Midfielder Phil Foden added two more before halftime, scoring in the 44th and 48th minutes, the second coming just 2 minutes and 23 seconds after the restart. Tijjani Reijnders made it 3-0 in the 37th with a low, curling shot that nestled into the bottom corner. Fulham looked shell-shocked.
Then came the twist. In first-half stoppage time, Emile Smith Rowe — playing through pain after a nasty collision — rose to meet a low cross from Héctor Bellerín and powered a header past Ederson. It was a lifeline. And then, in the 54th minute, Fulham’s Sander Berge, under pressure from a City cross, miscued his clearance into his own net. 5-1. The game seemed over. NBC Sports commentator Rebecca Lo called it "gloriously wonderful entertainment," noting, "It’s 5-3. They deserve it. They really do."
The Comeback That Shook London
But football, as they say, is never decided until the final whistle. Fulham, trailing by four goals, refused to fold. Alex Iwobi pulled one back in the 57th minute with a well-placed finish after a slick team move. Then, on 72 minutes, substitute Samuel Chukwueze — brought on for Harry Wilson — cut inside from the left and fired a low shot under Ederson. Three minutes later, he did it again. 5-4. Craven Cottage erupted. The home fans, who’d been silent for most of the first half, were now roaring like a storm. The pitch looked like a warzone: players collapsing, tackles flying, shouts echoing off the stands.
Haaland, now on 100 goals, looked shell-shocked himself. He’d been the architect of the lead, but suddenly, he was defending like a man possessed. City’s backline, usually so composed, looked rattled. Leno made a stunning save off a Foden free-kick in the 83rd minute, and City’s goalkeeper Ederson punched a cross straight to Chukwueze — who somehow missed from point-blank range. The ball, it seemed, had other plans.
History Made, But Not Without Fear
Haaland’s 100th goal wasn’t just a number. It was a statement. He’s now faster than even Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, or Harry Kane to reach triple digits. His record breaks the previous mark of 123 appearances held by Shearer. And yet, after the final whistle, he didn’t celebrate with his teammates. He just stood there, hands on hips, staring at the scoreboard. The weight of the moment, perhaps. Or maybe the dread of what almost happened.
For Fulham, it was bittersweet. They lost, but they won respect. Their comeback — from 5-1 down — was the most dramatic in Premier League history since Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City in 2014. And Chukwueze’s two goals off the bench? Only the fourth time a substitute had scored twice in a single Premier League match after his side trailed by four goals.
Manager Pep Guardiola, typically composed, was visibly shaken in the post-match interview. "We were brilliant for 45 minutes. Then we became amateurs," he said. "We stopped thinking. We stopped moving. We let them believe. That’s dangerous. We need to learn this lesson — because the next team won’t give us a 5-1 lead. They’ll kill us."
Where This Leaves the Title Race
With Arsenal having played one fewer game (13 vs. 14), City’s two-point gap isn’t as daunting as it seems. They’ve got two games in hand. Chelsea sit third with 24 points, but their defense has leaked goals in five of their last six matches. Liverpool, still in the hunt at 21 points, are on a dangerous run — seven wins in eight games. Everton, despite their -2 goal difference, have won three of their last four, and are quietly climbing.
Craven Cottage, a ground steeped in history since 1896, has now etched itself into Premier League folklore. Nine goals. One record. One near-collapse. One unforgettable night.
What’s Next?
Manchester City travel to Tottenham next, a team desperate to climb out of the bottom half. Fulham host Chelsea — a chance to prove their comeback wasn’t a fluke. Meanwhile, Arsenal face Brighton, and if they drop points, City will be right back in the driver’s seat. The title race, once thought to be a procession, is now wide open.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Erling Haaland reach 100 Premier League goals so fast?
Haaland reached 100 goals in just 111 Premier League appearances, breaking Alan Shearer’s previous record of 123. His combination of pace, clinical finishing, and consistent goal-scoring — averaging nearly 0.9 goals per game — made him the fastest in history. He scored 36 goals in his debut season (2022-23), 27 in 2023-24, and 23 in 2024-25 before this match.
Has any team ever come back from 5-1 down to draw or win in the Premier League?
No team has ever come back from 5-1 down to win. The closest was Manchester United’s 5-4 win over Blackburn in 1999 — they were 4-1 down and won 5-4. Fulham’s 5-4 loss to City is now the largest deficit overcome in a match that ended with a five-goal margin. Only three teams have drawn after trailing by four goals in Premier League history.
Why was Sander Berge’s own goal so critical?
Berge’s own goal in the 54th minute made it 5-1, effectively sealing the game — or so it seemed. But it also demoralized Fulham’s defense, which had been holding strong. When Chukwueze scored minutes later, the momentum shifted. The own goal became symbolic: a moment of despair that inadvertently sparked a revolution.
What does this mean for Manchester City’s title chances?
City are now second, just two points behind Arsenal, with two games in hand. Their attacking firepower is unmatched — Haaland, Foden, and De Bruyne have combined for 29 goals this season. But their defensive lapses, exposed by Fulham, could cost them against top-four sides. If they can tighten up, they’re favorites. If not, Arsenal’s consistency may prevail.
How significant is Phil Foden’s recent form?
Foden’s brace against Fulham was his second consecutive two-goal game — a first for him in the Premier League. He’s now scored 11 goals this season, with 7 assists. His confidence is sky-high, and he’s no longer just a supporting actor. He’s a central figure in City’s attack, especially with De Bruyne still recovering from injury.
What’s the historical significance of Craven Cottage hosting such a high-scoring match?
Craven Cottage, opened in 1896, has hosted over 1,500 Premier League matches. But only three games there have seen nine or more goals. This was the highest-scoring match at the ground since 1957, when Fulham beat Chelsea 5-4. The atmosphere, the setting, the drama — it all combined to make this one of the most memorable games in the stadium’s 129-year history.
