Manchester City defeated Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage to move to the top of the Premier League table, overtaking Arsenal by a point with a game in hand.
The game started at a frenetic pace, and a penalty was awarded within three minutes of kickoff when Tim Ream brought down Julian Alvarez. Erling Haaland scored from the spot to take his tally to 34 goals in the Premier League this season, equaling the record for the most goals scored in a single campaign.
Fulham equalized in the 15th minute through Carlos Vinicius after Harry Wilson’s lofted ball into the penalty area found him unmarked, and he volleyed the ball into the net.
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City regained the lead on 36 minutes with a stunning long-range effort from Alvarez. He found the top-left corner of the net with a 25-yard shot, leaving the Fulham goalkeeper, Marek Rodak, with no chance.
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Bernd Leno, the Arsenal loanee in the Fulham goal, made several good saves in the second half to keep the game close. He denied both Haaland and Alvarez with reflex saves early in the second half to keep the score at 2-1.
The result extends Manchester City’s winning streak to eight matches and their unbeaten run in their last 14 meetings with Fulham.
For Fulham, the defeat is their sixth in eight matches, and they remain in 10th place in the league table. City’s win puts the pressure back on Arsenal, who will be eager to win their remaining games and hope that City slip up if they are to retain their place at the top of the table.
Manchester City will be confident of securing their third successive title if they continue their winning run.
