Man City come out on top in Fulham thriller but issue which could derail title bid is clear

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This was one hell of a white knuckle roller coaster ride for Manchester City . And it must go down as one of the best games you will see this season. And in any other year for that matter.

Erling Haaland and City looked in complete control, cruising and 5-1 up as they looked to close the gap on leaders Arsenal to just two points with Mikel Arteta ’s men who have a game in hand as they face Brentford on Wednesday night. But then City’s defensive frailties were horribly exposed again as Fulham came so close to one of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history.

Cottagers substitute Samuel Chukwueze scored twice to set up a grandstand, nail-biting finish to bring back memories of Fulham’s great European win over Juventus in 2010.

It was also a reminder of why we love this game so much. What looked a complete walkover, a one-sided mismatch, exploded into life and, by the end, it was hard to work out what this actually did for City’s title challenge. Haaland was incredible, Phil Foden scored twice and they dazzled with Tijjani Reijnders scoring his first City goal since the opening weekend of the season.

Then City just imploded defensively - just as they did against Leeds on Saturday before eventually winning 3-2 - and that Achilles heel may leave Arsenal wondering what to make of it all.

Can you win a title with a defence as vulnerable as that? You certainly can win the title with Haaland up front.

They also entertain you and, at the final whistle, Guardiola did not look like he knew whether to laugh or cry. Even the Fulham fans just stood and applauded after the incredible drama. What a game.

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Haaland had already hit the inside of the post before he opened the scoring. Jeremy Doku’s low cross was dummied by Reijnders and Haaland swept home. That made it 100 Premier League goals in two and a half years. What an incredible striker. And with him in this form, it will have their rivals running scared.

Haaland then turned provider after 37 minutes. He used his body strength and skill to hold the ball up and turn before playing in Reijnders who dinked the ball over Fulham keeper Bernd Leno. He then dropped a clanger: his weak punch fell straight to Foden who had time to control the ball, set himself and then curl a stunning shot into the top corner.

It looked like game over. City were three up up. But no-one told Fulham. Harry Wilson’s cross found Emile Smith Rowe whose clever header flew into the far corner.

Normal service looked to have resumed just after half time. Haaland set up Foden to score his second from with a neat finish. Then Doku’s shot was deflected in off Sander Berge to make it 1-5.

Fulham had been so passive. Now they just went for it. Alex Iwobi’s stunning low shot flew into the bottom corner. Two former Arsenal players on target against their old club’s title rivals. Haaland then headed against the inside of a post.

Then came the late drama as half time substitute Chukwueze led the charge. Bernardo Silva did not clear his lines and Chukwueze drove his shot through a crowd of players and into the far corner.

It was 4-5 after 78 minutes. Wilson’s corner was punched away by City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Chukwueze fired in his second of the night.

Incredibly, Fulham pressed and went close. Substitute Josh King saw a last-gasp effort cleared off the line by Josko Gvardiol.

Fulham came so close to pulling it off. But ultimately City held on for an unforgettable win.

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