City Survive Comeback Scare at Craven Cottage

Erling Haaland finally scored his 100th Premier League goal in a win at Craven Cottage yesterday, alongside two assists, to help his team to all 3 points at the expense of Marco Silva’s men in a truly exhilarating match. Phil Foden scored twice, with Tijjani Reijnders and an own goal from Sander Berge making up the goals for Man City. Two of Fulham’s 3 Nigerian Internationals were their stars on the night, with Alex Iwobi grabbing one and Samuel Chukwueuze scoring a stunning pair of volleys after Emile Smith Rowe had pulled one back in first half stoppage time.

Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden were the front three in Guardiola’s 433 set up. Fulham meanwhile set up in a 4231, with Raul Jimenez up top, flanked by Alex Iwobi on the left, Harry Wilson on the right and Emile Smith Rowe in attacking midfield.

From minute 1, the match between Fulham and Manchester City looked like it would be as frenetic and thrilling as it turned out to be. It was an absolute goal-fest and a tale of two halves, with City’s dominant start almost collapsing under a furious Fulham comeback. The game, a nine-goal thriller, eventually finished 5-4 in favor of Manchester City.

City’s attacking intent was immediate. In the 6th minute, Erling Haaland created the first major moment, missing a one-on-one chance after being played in by Phil Foden. His shot hit the left post and ran across the face of the goal, a clear near miss and a shot which by his lofty standards should have been put away.

Haaland corrected his aim in the 17th minute to open the scoring. Jérémy Doku crossed, Tijjani Reijnders provided a dummy, and Haaland smashed a first-time, left-footed shot past Bernd Leno. This goal was also historic, marking Haaland’s record-breaking 100th Premier League goal in his 111th game, 13 ahead of Alan Shearer who needed 124 games.

Despite City’s dominance, Fulham showed moments of quality. In the 24th minute, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced to make a stunning save, getting down low to deny Emile Smith Rowe’s effort from 12 yards.

City, however, continued to surge forward. In the 37th minute, Tijjani Reijnders scored the second goal, executing a perfect dink over the advancing Bernd Leno, assisted by a deft pass from Erling Haaland. Before the half-time whistle, Phil Foden extended the lead in the 44th minute with a stunning 22-yard, left-footed effort, smashing the ball into the top corner.

Fulham managed to pull one back just before the break, creating a crucial moment of hope. In the second minute of first half stoppage time, Emile Smith Rowe scored with a fine diving header from Harry Wilson’s cross, reducing the deficit to 1-3. The first half concluded with Manchester City holding a commanding lead, at least so they thought.

Fulham made a double substitution at the start of the second half, in the 45th minute, introducing Timothy Castagne for Kenny Tete and Samuel Chukwueze for Sasa Lukic.

City however, seemingly squashed any momentum Fulham might have planned to gain with the subs. In the 48th minute, Phil Foden scored his second goal (1-4) after a three-man break. Jérémy Doku’s cross clipped Erling Haaland’s heel, finding the onrushing Foden who fired home from a tight angle. Just six minutes later, City extended their lead to four goals. Jérémy Doku’s shot deflected heavily off Sander Berge and sailed past Leno. The goal was officially given as an Own Goal by Berge (1-5).

At 5-1, the match appeared over, but Fulham began an improbable comeback. In the 57th minute, Alex Iwobi sidefooted home from the edge of the box after City failed to clear a cross, bringing the score to 2-5. City then made a double substitution in the 63rd minute, bringing on Savinho for Jérémy Doku and John Stones for Nico Gonzalez.

The goal-scoring continued, but City maintained their threat, hitting the post for the second time in the 70th minute when Erling Haaland hit the post with a thumping header from Savinho’s cross, marking another near miss.

The comeback gained real traction in the 72nd minute. Substitute Samuel Chukwueze fired home a volley for his first goal for Fulham from inside the area, reducing the score to 3-5, a goal that was confirmed after a VAR check. Fulham immediately made further changes, with Josh King replacing Emile Smith Rowe and Kusi-Asare replacing Raúl in the 74th minute.

The gap closed dramatically in the 78th minute. Samuel Chukwueze scored his second goal, another first time shot, after City goalkeeper Donnarumma delivered a weak punch from a corner, allowing Chukwueze to drill the ball back past him. With the score now at 5-4, City’s earlier dominant lead was reduced to a terrifying one-goal advantage.

Fulham made their final substitution in the 81st minute, replacing Harry Wilson with Kevin. City also made a change, with Rayan Cherki replacing Tijjani Reijnders in the 82nd minute.

The final near miss was perhaps the most crucial defensive action of the game, coming deep in stoppage time. Josh King beat Donnarumma, but Josko Gvardiol cleared the goal-bound effort off the line in the 99th minute (within 8 minutes added on), preventing what would have been a shocking equalizer. City had earlier made a defensive change, replacing Phil Foden with Nathan Aké in the 90th minute.
The match ended after almost 10 minutes of stoppage time with the final score remaining Fulham 4-5 Manchester City.