At a glance

  • Erling Haaland becomes quickest player to reach 100 Premier League goals with opener

  • Phil Foden scores two goals for second successive game

  • Substitute Samuel Chukwueze scores twice in six second-half minutes as Fulham threaten comeback

  • Win moves Manchester City two points behind leaders Arsenal

  • PLAYER RATINGS

Erling Haaland became the quickest player to reach 100 goals in Premier League history on a night when Manchester City ramped up pressure on leaders Arsenal by fending off Fulham's impressive fightback.

Norway international Haaland got his landmark goal in the 17th minute of Tuesday's game at Craven Cottage, firing in first time from Jeremy Doku's cross.

It meant he reached the century in 111 league games, 13 fewer than it took previous record holder Alan Shearer.

The goal also ended a mini drought for Haaland, having gone three consecutive games without scoring. It was his 15th goal in 14 league games this season but was just a taste of what was to come.

Haaland got the assist for Manchester City's second, slipping the ball through for Tijjani Reijnders to coolly lift the ball over Bernd Leno and into the back of the net.

Leeds came back from 2-0 down to level 2-2 against Pep Guardiola's side at the weekend before Phil Foden got a late winner, and the in-form forward must have thought he had quashed thoughts of a repeat of that when he got City's third.

A fantastic header by Emile Smith Rowe moments later gave Fulham some hope at 3-1 down, but Foden got his fourth goal in two games soon after the break, smartly firing home at the near post from Haaland's ball.

Doku's shot then deflected in off Sander Berge to put City in a seemingly unassailable 5-1 lead.

But Fulham would not give in and Alex Iwobi curled in their second from 20 yards to signal a continuing threat to City, before substitute Samuel Chukwueze had the home side dreaming of an incredible comeback.

First, he drove in from a cross, before placing a neat finish into the back of the net six minutes later.

Momentum was with Fulham as home fans roared them on and City's followers watched on nervously in the away end, and Josh King had a shot cleared off the line in the final seconds.

But City held on to secure a win that means they are just two points behind Arsenal, albeit having played a game more, with the Gunners hosting Brentford on Wednesday.

Fulham, meanwhile, are six points above the relegation zone but have played a game more than those sides below them.

Manchester City analysis: Slick in attack but more defensive concerns

Media caption,

'I'm so old the players don't respect me' Pep reacts to close call against Fulham

Haaland earns the headlines for his record-breaking strike and overall City career achievement, but this was a game that showed the best and worst of Pep Guardiola's side as they look to overhaul Arsenal in the title fight.

The Gunners remain in the driving seat and a win on Wednesday would see them restore their five-point lead over City.

The way Guardiola's players attacked in this game will concern Arsenal, with their first four goals coming from their first four shots on target to highlight just how clinical they were.

Both Haaland and Foden were in the sort of form that would make any defence struggle to handle them, with Haaland also twice hitting the woodwork.

How they could have done with at least one of those attempts to have gone in as defensive frailties put them under unnecessary pressure for the final few minutes.

The four they conceded in this match means they have let in 16 goals in 14 matches, compared to just seven in 13 for Arsenal. That is an area that surely needs to show improvement if City are to secure a ninth Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola points as he talks to Savinho during Manchester City's win at FulhamImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Pep Guardiola makes a point to Savinho as City suffered a late collapse

Fulham analysis: Silva's side show incredible spirit

Media caption,

Fulham reacted well in a 'really tough' position - Silva

This was always going to be a tough task for Fulham, particularly given their record against Manchester City, having not taken a point off them since a 2-2 draw in 2011.

Yet they almost ended their losing run in the one-sided rivalry with a comeback that would have ranked as one of the all-time greats.

For large periods it looked like being a comfortable win for City, but the introduction of Chukwueze swung momentum in Fulham's favour, with his energy and pace causing the visitors' defence numerous problems.

The game may have ended in defeat, but Fulham supporters will take plenty of heart from their side's second-half performance, while they have now scored six goals in their past two games against tricky opponents in Tottenham and City.

What next for these sides?

Fulham host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, 7 December (16:30 GMT).

Manchester City, meanwhile, are at home to Sunderland on Saturday, 6 December (15:00 GMT).

Player of the match

Number: 19 S. Chukwueze
Average rating 7.59
Number: 19 S. Chukwueze
Average Rating: 7.59
Number: 32 E. Smith Rowe
Average Rating: 7.47
Number: 17 A. Iwobi
Average Rating: 6.97
Number: 8 H. Wilson
Average Rating: 6.76
Number: 24 J. King
Average Rating: 6.57
Number: 7 R. Jiménez
Average Rating: 6.37
Number: 22 Kevin
Average Rating: 6.35
Number: 3 C. Bassey
Average Rating: 6.32
Number: 21 T. Castagne
Average Rating: 6.03
Number: 18 J. Kusi-Asare
Average Rating: 6.01
Number: 30 R. Sessegnon
Average Rating: 6.00
Number: 5 J. Andersen
Average Rating: 5.91
Number: 16 S. Berge
Average Rating: 5.91
Number: 20 S. Lukić
Average Rating: 5.88
Number: 1 B. Leno
Average Rating: 5.80
Number: 2 K. Tete
Average Rating: 5.78

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.