- The Fulham vs Man City Premier League fixture played at Craven Cottage ended in a 5-4 win for Pep Guardiola’s side
- The 5–4 win brings City closer to the top of the Premier League table, and football fans admired Fulham’s brave effort, even though they didn’t manage to pull off the comeback
The Fulham vs Man City Premier League fixture played at Craven Cottage ended in a 5-4 win for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Manchester City barely held on to the narrow win after a crazy second half. The match will go down as one of the wildest games of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Fulham vs Man City: Early Dominance, Late Drama
The night started seemingly perfect for the visitors. Fulham vs Man City looked like a routine trip for Manchester City early on when they raced into a commanding lead.
Erling Haaland scored in the 17th minute to put City ahead. With that goal, he became the fastest player ever to score 100 Premier League goals in just 111 games.
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The goals kept coming. In the 37th minute, Tijjani Reijnders made it 2–0. Then, just before halftime and again right after the restart, Phil Foden scored two more goals, making it 4–1 for City. Emile Smith Rowe’s header in first half’s stoppage time gave Fulham fans some hope even though it looked like the visitors were going to cruise away with a massive win.
An own goal by Fulham’s defender Sander Berge added another to City’s tally, making it 5–1 and seemingly putting the game out of reach. At that point, it seemed like the case was closed for Fulham vs Man City, but football had other plans.
Fulham Fights Back: A Comeback for the Ages
Instead of giving up, Fulham picked themselves up and made one of the most exciting comebacks at Craven Cottage in a long time. The second half of Fulham vs. Man City was crazy as the home team refused to give up.
Alex Iwobi scored early in the second half (57) to make it 5–2 and keep the fight going. The game changed completely when Samuel Chukwueze scored twice, first in the 72nd minute and then again in the 78th, making the score 5–4.
The stress was too much as time ran out. Fulham rushed forward, and Craven Cottage roared. It looked like the game was going to have one of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history.
Final Hold-On: City’s Nerve Against Fulham’s Anger
Even though things were crazy and stressful, Manchester City was able to hold on. As Fulham and Man City went into stoppage time, City’s defense and calmness, even though it was shaky, held. A key clearance from the goal line kept the score from being even, and the final whistle brought huge relief to the away end.
The 5–4 win brings City closer to the top of the Premier League table, and football fans admired Fulham’s brave effort, even though they didn’t manage to pull off the comeback.
“Did you enjoy that, guys? Me? Impossible. It’s the Premier League, you can’t control, it’s the Premier League. I know you’re going to ask what happened, and I don’t have an answer. It’s the emotion, it’s the football. Why you do this, why you do that? But I’m sorry to tell you, we made incredible things today, incredible, because I know how difficult that team is.” Pep Guardiola said after the game, according to ESPN.
Haaland’s Big Moment and Foden’s Greatness
Beyond the drama, Fulham vs Man City also marked important personal and team milestones.
- Haaland’s opening strike secured his 100-goal milestone — making him the fastest player ever to reach a century in Premier League history. The goal came in emphatic fashion, sealing his place in the “100 Club” after 111 games.
- Phil Foden’s brace showcased his continued importance to City’s attacking machinery — his goals inside a tumultuous game underlined his composure amid chaos.
For City, the win secures valuable points and boosts confidence. For Fulham, the match becomes a bittersweet “what-if” — a testament to belief but also a painful near-miss.
What the Result Means for Both Clubs: For Manchester City
For Manchester City
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The 5–4 win keeps pressure on league leaders Arsenal and shows City can still win even when their defence isn’t at its best. Last night’s game proved City’s attack and resilience remain elite, even in a match that should have been settled comfortably.
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The narrow escape could serve as a wake-up call. Their dominance up to 5–1 suggests quality, but the collapse from 5–1 to 5–4 will raise defensive concerns and questions about tactical discipline — especially in high-intensity games.
For Fulham
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Despite the loss, Fulham’s morale will be higher than before: mounting such a fightback shows character. Fulham vs Man City will give them belief and faith — the comeback almost rewrote the script.
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The performance, albeit ending in defeat, could galvanize the squad under their manager. Fans and players alike will take heart from the fightback, even as they lament the failure to get a point or more out of such an exhilarating match.
Tactical Notes: What Worked and What Didn’t
Early on, City’s early pressing, quick changes, and clinical finishing made the difference. They broke down Fulham’s defense with through balls, crosses, and movement. Haaland, Reijnders, and Foden all benefited. The first hour of the game was like a master class in attacking football.
But City’s defense got weaker after they went up 5–1. Fulham’s substitutions brought new life and tactical changes that took advantage of City’s high line and lack of focus.
Fulham’s comeback was based on hard work, faith, and taking advantage of chances. Smith Rowe, Iwobi, and Chukwueze all scored goals by being persistent, putting pressure on City, and taking advantage of their mistakes.
Emotional Rollercoaster: For the Fans, the Players, and the Stadium
Fulham vs Man City will definitely go down as one of the most emotional and rewarding matches of the 2025-26 Premier League. Craven Cottage was electric: 90 minutes of sadness, hope, despair, and joy all at once.
It was a show for fans who didn’t care. City fans were happy and relieved. For Fulham fans, it was a mix of heartbreak and pride: their team didn’t just lose, they almost stole the show.
What Comes Next
Manchester City will try to use this win to gain momentum in the title race, but they need to improve their defense. A 5–4 win is good, but it won’t last if the defense keeps making mistakes.
Fulham will try to build on the fighting spirit they showed. Having almost pulled off a miracle could give players the confidence they need to do better in future games.
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Players like Haaland, Foden, and Chukwueze will get more attention. The first player for his milestone and the second for his brace and fightback. Both of these things affect how fans see and value their clubs.
Final Thoughts: Fulham vs Man City – A Game for the Ages
Fulham vs Man City had everything that football promises: goals, drama, heartbreak, joy, and history. It was a game where 5–0 turned into 5–4, records were broken, and no lead felt safe until the last whistle.
For Manchester City, the win keeps their hopes of winning the title alive. For Fulham, the night turns bittersweet, but it is also one of faith and strength. For fans of football all over the world, this game will be remembered not only for the score, but also for the excitement and unpredictability that make the sport so great.
