On a rain-slicked Tuesday night at Craven Cottage, Erling Braut Haaland didn’t just score a goal—he rewrote history. The 25-year-old Norwegian striker netted his 100th Premier League goal in Manchester City’s 5-4 win over Fulham, becoming the fastest player ever to reach the milestone in just 111 appearances. He broke the record held for over two decades by Alan Shearer, who took 124 games to hit the same mark. The match, played on December 4, 2023, in Fulham, London, wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a chaotic, breathless spectacle that will be replayed for years to come.
A Milestone in the Midst of Mayhem
Haaland opened the scoring in the 12th minute, burying a low finish past Bernd Leno after a slick pass from Phil Foden. The crowd fell silent—not out of awe, but disbelief. He’d gone two games without a goal. The pressure was mounting. But here he was, on the cusp of legend, and he didn’t flinch. Foden added a second before halftime, and Fulham pulled one back through Emile Smith Rowe in stoppage time, setting the stage for a second half that felt like a thriller written by someone who’d never heard of defense.
Four minutes into the restart, Foden made it 3-1 with a curling left-footed shot. Then came Jeremy Doku’s strike—a deflected rocket that looped over Leno like a slow-motion dream. By the 55th minute, Manchester City led 4-1. The script seemed written. But football, as always, had other plans.
The Comeback That Refused to Die
Alex Iwobi pulled one back for Fulham with a sublime half-volley after a deflected cross. Then, in the 68th minute, substitute Samuel Chukwueze pounced on a loose ball and smashed it past Gianluigi Donnarumma. 4-3. The away end roared. The home crowd, once subdued, was now on its feet, sensing something historic—not just for Haaland, but for Fulham.
Haaland nearly sealed it with a header that rattled the post. Then, with five minutes left, City’s fifth goal came—unofficially credited to the chaos of a scramble, though no one’s sure who finished it. The scoreboard read 5-3. Then, 5-4. And suddenly, it was 89th minute. The noise was deafening. Josh King, Fulham’s last hope, broke free with a lung-busting run. His shot was on target. The net bulged. But then—unbelievable.
Josko Gvardiol, the young Croatian defender, threw himself across the goal line and cleared the ball with his chest. The referee’s whistle blew. The final whistle. 5-4. City held on. The stadium, for a moment, didn’t know whether to cheer or cry.
Haaland’s Mindset: Just Do the Job
After the match, Haaland spoke to Sky Sports, his tone calm, almost detached. "Yeah, it’s uh it’s it’s huge and I’m really proud," he said, pausing between words like he was still processing. "I knew about this. That’s what I tried to do—I try to help the team by scoring goals. That’s my job." When asked if he expected to score every game, he didn’t blink. "I don’t want to say the words, but when you’re a striker for Man City you should be delivering great numbers. That’s my job. People should criticise me if I don’t. That’s normally what people do. In the end, I should deliver." It’s not arrogance. It’s expectation. And for Haaland, it’s not just about numbers—it’s about legacy. He’s now the top scorer this season with 15 goals. He’s 155 goals away from Shearer’s all-time record of 260. When pressed on whether he dreams of that number, he shrugged. "I know about it. I don’t think too much about it."
Why This Match Matters
This wasn’t just a personal milestone. It was a statement. Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, are now 12 games into a brutal December schedule. They’ve played Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool, and now Fulham—all within 10 days. To win 5-4 after being pushed to the brink? That’s not luck. That’s character.
Football writer Dan Edwards called it "one of the competition’s greatest matches ever." And he’s right. Nine goals. Four lead changes. A goalkeeper error, a deflection, a last-gasp clearance. It had everything. Even Fulham’s manager, Thomas Frank, admitted after the match: "We played with heart. We just ran out of time."
What’s Next for Haaland and City
With the Premier League title race tightening and Champions League knockout stages looming, Haaland’s pace is now the benchmark. He’s scored 100 goals in 111 games. The next fastest? Robert Lewandowski, at 123. Haaland is on track to hit 200 Premier League goals before turning 30. And if he keeps this up, Shearer’s record won’t just be challenged—it’ll be erased.
Guardiola’s halftime adjustments—bringing on Savinho and shifting Stones into midfield—showed why City remain the most tactically flexible team in Europe. They don’t just win. They adapt. Even when the odds are stacked against them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast did Haaland reach 100 Premier League goals compared to other legends?
Erling Haaland reached 100 Premier League goals in just 111 appearances, breaking Alan Shearer’s previous record of 124 games. The next fastest is Robert Lewandowski, who took 123 matches. Haaland’s pace is unmatched—averaging a goal every 1.11 games. For context, Wayne Rooney took 195 appearances to reach the same milestone.
Who scored the other goals in the 5-4 match?
Phil Foden netted two goals for Manchester City, while Jeremy Doku’s deflected strike made it 4-1. Fulham’s goals came from Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi, and substitute Samuel Chukwueze. City’s fifth goal was the result of a chaotic scramble near the goal line, with no official scorer confirmed in match reports.
Is Haaland on track to break Alan Shearer’s all-time record?
Yes. Shearer’s record stands at 260 goals. Haaland, with 100 in 111 games, is scoring at a rate of 0.9 goals per match. At that pace, he’d reach 260 in roughly 177 appearances—well before his 30th birthday. He’s already the most prolific striker in Premier League history by efficiency.
Why was this match considered one of the greatest in Premier League history?
It featured nine goals, four lead changes, a 10-minute spell where both teams scored twice, and a last-second clearance by Josko Gvardiol to preserve the win. Only six Premier League matches have ever seen more goals. Combined with Haaland’s historic milestone and Fulham’s spirited comeback, it had narrative, drama, and legacy—all in 90 minutes.
What does this mean for Manchester City’s season?
It’s a sign of resilience. After a shaky performance against Leeds and a tough Champions League win over Leverkusen, this victory showed City can win even when not at their best. With 11 games left in December alone, Haaland’s form and Guardiola’s tactical adjustments are critical. They’re now three points clear at the top, but the race is far from over.
Did any records besides Haaland’s get broken in this match?
Yes. It was the first time since 2019 that a Premier League match ended 5-4, and only the 12th time in league history that a team won after trailing by two goals in the second half. It also marked the first time since 2007 that a single match featured three substitutes scoring for the losing side.
