Erling Haaland celebrated his milestone of reaching 100 Premier League goals as Manchester City narrowly triumphed over Fulham in a thrilling 5-4 victory.
City was comfortably ahead at 5-1 early in the second half, but a comeback from Fulham, featuring goals from Alex Iwobi and a brace from substitute Samuel Chukwueze, had City hanging on for the win.
Currently, City sits two points behind leaders Arsenal, who are set to face Brentford on Wednesday. However, their chances for a title run are questionable given their defensive lapses in this match.
Haaland also earned the accolade of being the fastest player to reach 100 goals in the Premier League, achieving the feat in just 111 matches.
He scored within just 17 minutes at Craven Cottage, becoming the 35th player to join the Premier League 100 club.
Previously, Alan Shearer held the record for the fastest century, having reached it in 124 matches back in 1995.
Haaland had already come close to scoring when he hit the post prior to his goal.
Phil Foden played a ball to Jérémy Doku, who crossed in low. Tijjani Reijnders let it pass, allowing Haaland to hit a powerful shot into the roof of the net.
However, the celebration of this achievement was overshadowed by the chaotic events that unfolded thereafter.
Fulham nearly equalized midway through the first half when Iwobi set up Emile Smith Rowe, whose sharp turn in the box forced a brilliant save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City doubled their lead in the 38th minute, with Haaland turning provider this time.
The striker held off Joachim Andersen at midfield and delivered a well-placed through ball between Kenny Tete and Calvin Bassey, allowing Reijnders to lift his shot over Bernd Leno.
Foden then found the net two minutes before halftime, collecting a rebound on the edge of the box and smashing it into the top corner, following a punch from Leno.
However, Smith Rowe responded for Fulham in first-half stoppage time with a well-placed header from Harry Wilson’s cross.
Thoughts of a possible Fulham comeback started early in the second half when Haaland redirected another cross from Doku to Foden, who finished expertly at the far post, marking his fourth goal in as many matches.
City’s fifth goal came just six minutes later when a shot from Doku deflected off Sander Berge and looped over Leno.
Despite the dominant position, City felt the pressure again when Iwobi struck a curling effort from outside the box to reduce Fulham’s deficit.
The tension heightened as substitute Chukwueze bagged two quick goals within six minutes.
When Chukwueze scored his second, there were still 12 minutes left plus eight minutes of stoppage time to play.
Fulham piled on the pressure, and just when substitute Josh King looked to have equalized, Josko Gvardiol made a crucial goal-line clearance.
This victory brings City to 28 points, maintaining their position just two behind league leaders Arsenal, who will be facing Brentford on Wednesday.