A dramatic encounter at Craven Cottage saw Manchester City claim a crucial three points in a chaotic 5-4 victory over Fulham, a result that manager Pep Guardiola admitted was too tense to enjoy.
Having built a commanding 5-1 lead by the 54th minute, the visitors appeared to be coasting. However, a stunning second-half resurgence from the home side, spearheaded by substitute Samuel Chukwueze, who netted twice, saw three goals in 21 minutes and turned a procession into a nail-biting finale.
Guardiola confessed the closing stages were agonizing. “To enjoy it? That was impossible,” he stated post-match. “At 5-1, perhaps. At 5-4, I was watching the clock more than the pitch. The Premier League always delivers this emotion. We must defend those situations better, but credit to the team for finding a way through a very difficult match.”
The game had begun with a historic moment as Erling Haaland opened the scoring, becoming the fastest player ever to reach 100 goals in the competition. Guardiola hailed the striker’s phenomenal achievement. “The numbers speak for themselves. To do what he has done in this league is remarkable. We are delighted for him.”
Fulham manager Marco Silva praised his team’s resilient character in mounting the fightback but lamented their slow start. “The reaction was impressive, but we must begin matches with that intensity. We allowed them too much control early on and were punished.”
The win narrows the gap at the top of the table, keeping the title race firmly alive as the season enters its decisive phase.