New Delhi: Erling Haaland became the quickest footballer to score 100 English Premier League goals as Manchester City staved off a spirited Fulham in a wild 5-4 victory.
Phil Foden scored a brace while Tijjani Reijnders also struck and Sander Berge scored an own goal as City looked on course for a comfortable win after opening up a 5-1 lead but Fulham roared back with three second-half strikes to force a thrilling finish.
At Craven Cottage, Samuel Chukwueze’s double and one from Alex Iwobi gave belief to Fulham though ultimately City held them off to climb to 28 points and reduce gap with leaders Arsenal to two points. Fulham are at 15th spot with 17 points.
Haaland wrote his name in history books with a blistering left-footed shot from Jeremy Doku’s centre in the 17th minute to reach the landmark of 100 goals in his 111th game, 13 fewer than former England striker Alan Shearer.
Reijnders then increased City’s lead in the 37th when he chipped the advancing Fulham keeper after running onto a through ball from Haaland while Foden was on target on 44 minutes with a shot from outside the box into the top-left corner.
Fulham pulled one back when Emile Smith Rowe’s diving header crept into the back post seconds before halftime but Foden made extended City’slead in the 48th minute from the top of the six-yard box and six minutes later Berge deflected Doku’s shot in.
Fulham weren’t disheartened as Iwobi struck in the 57th minute, followed by Chukwueze in the 72nd and 78th, as City’s defence crumbled under pressure.
‘Crazy’
“I think if you’re sitting at home now you enjoyed that game. It was a crazy game, nine goals is a lot. In the end, we win and we’re happy but it’s not the best win,” Haaland told Sky Sports.
When asked if he could enjoy the game as a football fan, City manager Pep Guardiola said: “Impossible. 5-1, yeah, but 5-4, I was watching more the watch than the game.
“But with the time, I will remember the day I was there. When both teams, they want to try — top quality players — and go forward, the football is incredibly spectacular.”
Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero ensured a point with a diving header and an overhead kick deep in stoppage time to ensure a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in another entertaining clash on Tuesday.