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Fulham’s nine-goal display gave Manchester City the lead in a typically title-chasing performance.

Pep Guardiola’s side’s defensive display, unfortunately, will have elicited relief from those same rivals.

Erling Haaland scored his 100th Premier League goal in the opening period of play, followed by a Phil Foden double, one from Tijjani Reijnders, and Sander Berge’s own goal, who gave City a 5-1 lead at the break. They appeared to be making a significant margin of victory.

However, Fulham responded with three unanswered goals and even had one of their own as they approached the end of one of the outstanding comebacks in stoppage time.

City held on for the win, 5-4, and all three points, almost firmly in their grasp, almost absorbing shots from the end.

“That’s football, that’s the beauty of football,” said Haaland, “but they went and made it 5-3 after I was close to scoring.”

“We love the game because of that.”

The powerful Norwegian added two assists as he scored 100 goals in 111 Premier League games, making it the fastest century since the start of the competition.

However, City changed from a team that appeared to be capable of keeping the score to a group that almost begged for the win.

Guardiola made the joke that “the players don’t respect me because I’m so old!” They are not required to behave in that manner toward their manager.

The league only allows it to occur.

The statistics show what a thriller and unusual result it was, Manchester City’s victory at Fulham will have been a great watch for the neutral.

Even though it delivered in terms of entertainment value, Guardiola’s side’s supporters must have noticed that there must be improvement if they are to truly challenge Arsenal’s leaders.

In this game, City’s attacking prowess are unquestionable; their first four attempts on target in this game resulted in goals, and Haaland and Foden’s consistent form this year will make almost any Premier League team struggle to stop them.

However, their defense is far behind, despite their play continuing to be dignified of title winners.

In the Premier League, City allowed 16 goals in just 14 games compared to Arsenal, who have only allowed seven in 13 games.

At this point in Guardiola’s six Premier League titles, it is unusual for City to concede as many as that in a title-winning campaign. It happened once, in 2023-24.

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison said on BBC Radio 5 Live, “You can’t expect to win the Premier League when you defend like that.”

“Manchester City’s defensive posture is a problem. We know they can score goals, but I’ve said it before, but they need to improve defensively.

In all competitions, Manchester City has conceded 10 goals in their most recent four games, but only three in the four games that followed.

Guardiola can at least believe that the recent defensive problems can be fixed, and the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach even believes that the recent back-pressure issue could benefit his side by bringing focus to their minds.

Guardiola stated, “Of course, I was concerned Fulham could come back,” but this will help us in upcoming games.

Some players believe that each game is a new team. To begin correcting, you must create a process.

The way we played in the first half, the five goals we scored, and the way we came here were some of the things that were really encouraging.

Fulham’s nine-goal display gave Manchester City the lead in a typically title-chasing performance.

Pep Guardiola’s side’s defensive display, unfortunately, will have elicited relief from those same rivals.

Erling Haaland scored his 100th Premier League goal in the opening period of play, followed by a Phil Foden double, one from Tijjani Reijnders, and Sander Berge’s own goal, who gave City a 5-1 lead at the break. They appeared to be making a significant margin of victory.

However, Fulham responded with three unanswered goals and even had one of their own as they approached the end of one of the outstanding comebacks in stoppage time.

City held on for the win, 5-4, and all three points, almost firmly in their grasp, almost absorbing shots from the end.

“That’s football, that’s the beauty of football,” said Haaland, “but they went and made it 5-3 after I was close to scoring.”

“We love the game because of that.”

The powerful Norwegian added two assists as he scored 100 goals in 111 Premier League games, making it the fastest century since the start of the competition.

However, City changed from a team that appeared to be capable of keeping the score to a group that almost begged for the win.

Guardiola made the joke that “the players don’t respect me because I’m so old!” They are not required to behave in that manner toward their manager.

The league only allows it to occur.

The statistics show what a thriller and unusual result it was, Manchester City’s victory at Fulham will have been a great watch for the neutral.

Even though it delivered in terms of entertainment value, Guardiola’s side’s supporters must have noticed that there must be improvement if they are to truly challenge Arsenal’s leaders.

In this game, City’s attacking prowess are unquestionable; their first four attempts on target in this game resulted in goals, and Haaland and Foden’s consistent form this year will make almost any Premier League team struggle to stop them.

However, their defense is far behind, despite their play continuing to be dignified of title winners.

In the Premier League, City allowed 16 goals in just 14 games compared to Arsenal, who have only allowed seven in 13 games.

At this point in Guardiola’s six Premier League titles, it is unusual for City to concede as many as that in a title-winning campaign. It happened once, in 2023-24.

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison said on BBC Radio 5 Live, “You can’t expect to win the Premier League when you defend like that.”

“Manchester City’s defensive posture is a problem. We know they can score goals, but I’ve said it before, but they need to improve defensively.

In all competitions, Manchester City has conceded 10 goals in their most recent four games, but only three in the four games that followed.

Guardiola can at least believe that the recent defensive problems can be fixed, and the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach even believes that the recent back-pressure issue could benefit his side by bringing focus to their minds.

Guardiola stated, “Of course, I was concerned Fulham could come back,” but this will help us in upcoming games.

Some players believe that each game is a new team. To begin correcting, you must create a process.

The way we played in the first half, the five goals we scored, and the way we came here were some of the things that were really encouraging.

Sarina Wiegman, England manager, chuckled and said, “She celebrated as if she had won the Champions League.”

And it wasn’t far off for Lucia Kendall.

Six minutes into their 2-0 win over Ghana at St Mary’s Stadium, Wiegman was reflecting on the moment the Aston Villa midfielder raced off into the corner.

“They are still putting some treatments on the grass”! Kendall’s flawless knee slide was made a joke by her.

There was a large smile on the 21-year-old’s face as she began to walk, puffing out her cheeks in disbelief, and being surrounded by her team-mates.

Kendall spent ten years at Southampton, where she had worked there for ten years, where she had played 103 games before joining Villa in July, and where she had worked for the academy.

The ball was the stuff of dreams for her when she saw it hit the back of the net at St. Mary’s Stadium on her only third appearance for England.

“It was a really special moment for me to be able to do it here, where I was raised.” Kendall told ITV, “This place made me into the player I am.

Kendall may have been “made” by Southampton, but a major choice at the age of 15 changed how she saw her future.

The talented youngster eventually had to choose between the two sports as she transitioned into Southampton’s first-team squad, but her father, Will, played cricket for Hampshire. She chose football as her choice.

“It was fascinating,” he said. In her first England media conference in October, Kendall said, “There is no time for me to do both.”

Growing up, I adored playing cricket. It was a very difficult choice. I exchanged messages, but when the time came, I realized I liked football a little more.

Kendall has started out in a similar manner to Frank Lampard, an England midfielder known for his goalscoring prowess, and she idolized him growing up as a Chelsea fan.

It was obvious from the beginning that Kendall had the desire and commitment to become a star while juggling a psychology degree at Southampton.

The second-tier club continued to care for her as long as they could, but Villa made an effort to reinstate her when her contract expired this summer.

Kendall, who was born in Winchester and started out in the top flight before joining the England squad, has quickly established a name for herself.

She exhibits consistency, which is difficult to do when you first enter the WSL with Aston Villa and then you just move in.

She just keeps up her levels and shows that she is a good player, which is impressive because things have happened so quickly and quickly.

Kendall hit the crossbar in the second half to almost equalize her goal at St Mary’s, but Alessia Russo added a second with an injury-time penalty.

After an hour, the home crowd roared at her and the stadium announcer gushed, “Southampton’s very own,” in a loud voice.

In more than a decade of service, Kendall noted that, having spent so long playing senior football at Southampton, I did so at the age of 16, and that proved invaluable.

They consistently believed in me as a player and the belief that I had. I hoped to move on to [the next step].

Former England striker Ian Wright claimed Kendall had just “got it” as a midfielder and that she had always appeared natural.

Wiegman wants to keep her safe, claiming that both Villa and the media can. However, Kendall’s “humble” behavior doesn’t bother her.

Kendall was speaking in front of the media days after being first called up by the Lionesses, stating that she was determined to impress but also understood that she had a responsibility to the team’s greater good and that she had a responsibility.

Russo, a striker for Arsenal, described Kendall as having “been here for years” as she “seen herself in the squad.”

Being able to be in and around them and experience their environment is something I didn’t expect to do until this team had just won back-to-back Euros, Kendall said.

It takes me a while to “break out of my shell.” I have a psychology degree from a university. I prefer to maintain my life’s pursuit of football by sticking to it.

I enjoy cooking and spending time with my family. I wouldn’t say I do too much. I simply enjoy living in harmony with nature.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale, who trained her at Southampton, is well-versed in Kendall’s mindset and said she was ready to play for her country.

As soon as I met her, I knew. The former Arsenal and England forward called her a very grounded, humble young woman, and she was ambitious.

She is aware of her desires and route. She plays with skill. She completely comprehends [the game] for a person her age.

She can defend herself and make lung-bursting runs forward. She plays both technically and tactical midfield very well.

Erling Haaland scored 100 Premier League goals as he surpassed all previous records for the competition in the history of the game in Manchester City’s 3-2 win at Fulham on Tuesday, breaking Alan Shearer’s all-time scoring record.

The 25-year-old Norwegian has so far scored 20 goals in 19 games across all competitions, making it possible for him to represent England at international level.

In addition to being defeated by Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen and winning against Leeds at the weekend, Haaland had unusually come into the Fulham game after three straight blanks in front of goal.

In the first half of a thrilling game that ended with a 5-4 win for Manchester City, he reclaimed the lead with a lovely finish that curled home Jeremy Doku’s cross.

Afterward, Haaland described it as “a proud moment.”

The 100 club is “a huge thing.” It is amazing to accomplish it so quickly. I’m happy and proud.

On Tuesday, Haaland scored the game’s 100th goal, but 102 and 101 would have been equally as easy.

He added two assists and struck the post in both halves during a strong attacking display.

Haaland has scored 15 goals for the Bees so far this season, with Brentford’s Igor Thiago coming in second with 11 goals.

Haaland has accomplished a number of accomplishments since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2022, surpassing Shearer’s long-standing record of 100 goals in only 111 games.

Shearer completed that feat in 124 games, but Haaland still needs to go in order to match the 260 goals scored by the former England captain when the competition first started in 1992-93 after leaving the English Football League.

Haaland celebrated his team’s “robot” celebration earlier this year, and City’s reliance on their goal machine is highlighted by his goal total this term, which has allowed him to score 15 of his team’s 32 league goals.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola congratulated Haaland on his accomplishments, calling it “gratuitous, it is incredible.”

What can I say, exactly? He excelled today. He scored a fantastic goal, which was incredible.

BBC Sport journalist Matthew Hobbs

Since his first season in England, Erling Haaland’s ascent to 100 goals, the fastest player in Premier League history, seemed almost unavoidable.

In just 33 starts, he scored 36 times, which is a competition record for a single season, in the period 2022-23.

After spending two and a half seasons with Borussia Dortmund, Haaland scored 62 goals in 67 league games before moving to Manchester City for £51 million in the summer of 2022.

At a poignant time in Haaland’s career, some claim that the City striker is losing his touch after scoring 100 Premier League goals.

The leanest run of his City career to date came after City lost to Liverpool by 2-0 in the first game of the Premier League on December 2024, in which Haaland cut a disembodied figure.

Haaland has 15 goals in 14 top-flight games so far in 2025-26, compared to 20 goals in just 19 overall games.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is on the radar of Saudi Pro League clubs, while Manchester United’s Christos Mouzakitis and the Reds resume discussions with Marc Guehi.

Egyptian international Mohamed Salah, 33, who was dropped by Liverpool on Sunday, has been a permanent goal of clubs in the Saudi Pro League. (Talksport)

After missing out on a deal in the summer, Liverpool have resumed discussions with England defender Marc Guehi’s representatives in an effort to bring him to Crystal Palace in January. (Teamtalk)

Real Madrid and Manchester United both weigh up a £25 million bid for the 18-year-old while Manchester United is interested in Olympiacos’ Greece midfielder Christos Mouzakitis. (Mail subscription required)

When Marcus Rashford’s loan at Manchester United ends, Barcelona must decide whether to permanently sign the 28-year-old England international. (Sports) in Spanish

One of the contenders to sign Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo, 25, is Liverpool, who is also at the top of the transfer market. Football Insider

Tottenham could make a move for the Ghanaian in January as a result of their growing interest in Semenyo. (Sky Sports)

If Leeds fire German manager Daniel Farke, Gary O’Neil might be able to take over. Football Insider

Tiago Gabriel, a 20-year-old Portuguese defender, is up for grabs in January from West Ham and Brentford, but the Lecce centre-back faces competition from Juventus. (I Paper subscriptions are necessary.)

In order to make his way back into Belgium’s World Cup squad for the upcoming summer, defender Timothy Castagne, 29, could leave Fulham in January. (DH – in French)

Inter Milan, who are interested in the 29-year-old, are reportedly considering leaving Tottenham, while Guglielmo Vicario, an Italian goalkeeper, is also considering moving elsewhere. (In Italian, La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Real Madrid’s 24-year-old Brazil forward Rodrygo is set to make January bids at Liverpool and Arsenal. (Caught Offside)

In the race to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta, class=”ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3″>Liverpool has positioned itself ahead of class=”ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3″>Barcelona. (Fichajes – Spanish)

Sacha Boey, a 25-year-old French defender, is attracting interest from Crystal Palace, and Bayern Munich would be willing to negotiate a 15 million euro ($13,2 million) or more deal. (German) (Bild)