In a Premier League classic for the ages, Manchester City survived a ferocious Fulham comeback to claim a 5–4 victory at Craven Cottage, securing their 19th consecutive head-to-head win over the London side.

Fresh off needing a stoppage-time winner to edge Leeds at the weekend, City arrived with the chance to close the gap on leaders Arsenal — and Pep Guardiola’s side wasted no time applying pressure.

They nearly struck inside six minutes when Erling Haaland rattled the post from a position he typically buries. But the Norwegian made no mistake with his next opportunity, guiding in Jeremy Doku’s low cross to score his 100th Premier League goal — becoming the fastest player ever to reach the landmark, doing so in just 111 matches.

Fulham’s brightest spark in the early stages was Emile Smith Rowe, who first forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a sharp low save before firing over moments later.

City, however, were ruthless. As the first half neared its end, Haaland turned creator, playing in Tijjani Reijnders, who deftly lifted the ball over the onrushing Bernd Leno. Soon after, Phil Foden added a third with a stunning long-range strike to put the champions firmly in control.

Fulham did manage to claw one back before the break, as Smith Rowe expertly guided a clever header into the net to restore some hope heading into halftime.

That hope didn’t last long. Within 10 minutes of the restart, Foden doubled his tally with a composed finish from a tight angle, and Doku made it 5–1 when his effort deflected off Sander Berge and looped in under the bar — the first time City had scored five at Craven Cottage since 1927.

Alex Iwobi reignited the home side’s spirits with a precise low strike from the edge of the area, though City threatened again when Haaland — unmarked — struck the post for the second time.

Fulham, undeterred, mounted a remarkable late surge. With under 20 minutes to play, Samuel Chukwueze volleyed in his first goal for the club to make it 5–3. The Nigerian then struck again, drilling home from a corner after Donnarumma failed to deal with the delivery, setting up a breathless finale.

Backed by a stunned but roaring home crowd, Fulham pressed for an equaliser and nearly completed an extraordinary comeback, but Josh King saw his late effort cleared off the line as City ultimately clung on.

Manchester City have now won four of their last five league matches, while Fulham suffer just their second home defeat of the season.