The rivalry between Fulham and Manchester City is less a rivalry and more a historical dominance, extended by City's dramatic 5-4 victory over Fulham on December 2, 2025.
This chaotic match saw City nearly squander a four-goal lead but delivered multiple records, including Erling Haaland's 100th Premier League goal. This analysis breaks down the records broken, the stunning comeback attempt, and the next key fixture in this one-sided rivalry.
6 Key Facts and Takeaways from Fulham vs. Man City in 2025
Record-Breaking 19-Game Winning Streak: Manchester City's narrow 5-4 victory extended their win streak against Fulham in all competitions to an astonishing 19 consecutive matches, making it the longest such run against a single opponent in English football history.
Haaland Hits 100 Goals in Record Time: Erling Haaland scored his 100th Premier League goal in the match, achieving the milestone in just 111 appearances—shattering Alan Shearer's previous record by 13 games and cementing his legendary status.
The Near-Comeback: 5-1 to 5-4: City raced into a commanding 5-1 lead early in the second half, but Fulham mounted an extraordinary fightback, scoring three goals (including a brace from substitute Samuel Chukwueze) to bring the score to 5-4 and forcing City's defense into desperate, last-gasp clearances.
Highest-Scoring Match of the Season: The final score of 5-4 made this a nine-goal thriller, instantly becoming one of the highest-scoring matches of the 2025-2026 Premier League season and highlighting City's immense attacking power alongside concerning defensive vulnerabilities.
Guardiola's Exasperation: Manager Pep Guardiola admitted the game was "impossible" to enjoy, stating he watched the clock more than the match in the final minutes. The chaotic second half underscored the defensive lapses that continue to plague City's title defense against league leaders Arsenal.
Next Fixture and League Status: The win keeps Manchester City in 2nd place (28 points), trailing leaders Arsenal. The two teams will meet again on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the Etihad Stadium for their second Premier League fixture of the season.
Summary: The 5-4 thriller saw Manchester City set a historic 19-game win streak over Fulham and witnessed Erling Haaland's record 100th Premier League goal. Despite the victory, the match highlighted City's defensive vulnerabilities while keeping them within two points of the league leaders.
