If you thought you were in for a quiet Tuesday night of football, you were spectacularly wrong. We were treated to an absolutely bonkers evening of Premier League action, filled with records, comebacks, and late drama. The headline event, without a doubt, was the nine-goal thriller at Craven Cottage where Erling Haaland not only scored but smashed a historic record in Manchester City’s breathtaking 5-4 victory over a fearless Fulham side.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Erling Haaland scored his 100th Premier League goal in just his 111th game, the fastest of any player.
- ✓ Manchester City survived a wild comeback to beat Fulham 5-4 at Craven Cottage.
- ✓ Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur played out a dramatic 2-2 draw, with Spurs leveling twice.
- ✓ A single goal from Jack Grealish secured a crucial 1-0 away win for Everton over Bournemouth.
- ✓ Man City closed the gap on league leaders Arsenal to just two points.
Elsewhere, the points were shared in a tense battle between Newcastle and Spurs, while Everton dug deep to grind out a massive win on the road. It was one of those nights that reminds you exactly why this league is considered the most exciting in the world. Let's break down all the madness.
The Unforgettable Nine-Goal Craven Cottage Classic
You just had to see this game to believe it. Manchester City traveled to Fulham, and what unfolded was pure, unadulterated chaos. City looked like they were cruising, going up 5-1 thanks to Haaland’s record-breaker, a double from Phil Foden, a strike from Tijjani Reijnders, and an unfortunate Sander Berge own goal. At that point, you’d be forgiven for switching channels.
But Fulham, to their immense credit, simply refused to give up. Their manager, Marco Silva, summed up the rollercoaster of emotions perfectly. He admitted the feeling after losing wasn't the best, but he couldn't hide his pride, highlighting the "character and personality of the team." After going down 5-1, he praised their "incredible" reaction. They roared back with goals from Alex Iwobi and a quickfire brace from substitute Samuel Chukwueze, setting up a nail-biting finish.
In the end, City barely held on, needing a last-gasp, goal-line clearance from Josko Gvardiol to deny Josh King an equalizer. Pep Guardiola was visibly exasperated, saying, "Only in this league can this kind of thing happen." He acknowledged that after going up 5-2, his team collapsed a bit, struggling to defend with composure. It was a vital three points, but one that surely took a few years off his life.
Haaland's Historic Hundred
Amidst all the chaos at Craven Cottage, history was made. Erling Haaland came into the game and did what he does best: score goals. His fierce 17th-minute finish wasn't just another goal; it was his 100th in the Premier League. And here's the truly mind-boggling part—he did it in just 111 appearances.
To put that into perspective, he absolutely shattered the previous record held by the legendary Alan Shearer, who took 124 matches to reach the century mark. It's an incredible, almost unbelievable, achievement that cements his status as one of the most lethal strikers the league has ever seen. Pep Guardiola was full of praise, saying, "Congratulations to him. So happy that he delivered 100 goals and that we could give him the victory."
What’s scary for the rest of the league is that he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Guardiola added, "Hopefully, he's starving hungry to continue with this club to make more and more goals." It was a landmark day for the Norwegian, even if it was almost overshadowed by his team's defensive frailties later in the match.
Drama and Disappointment at St. James' Park
While one game was a goal-fest, another was a tense, back-and-forth affair. Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur battled to a 2-2 draw, and it was a result that left the home side feeling deeply frustrated. Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes broke the deadlock with what he called a "brilliant finish," but his happiness was short-lived.
Spurs defender Cristian Romero leveled things up before Anthony Gordon converted a controversial penalty to put the Magpies ahead again. But, in a painful repeat, Romero popped up again to equalize for a second time. Guimaraes didn't mince words, saying, "The feeling right now is very negative... It's not the first time we concede at the end of the game, it is something we have to sort out." He even said he'd trade his goal for the three points.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe echoed that sentiment, calling it "hugely frustrating" after they worked so hard to get into a winning position twice. On the other side, Spurs manager Thomas Frank was delighted with his team's "fantastic mentality and character." He was adamant the penalty against his team was "never a penalty" and an "absolute mistake from the VAR," but he was ultimately proud of how his squad handled the setbacks and fought for a point.
Grealish and the Gritty Toffees
Finally, we turn to the south coast, where Everton secured a massive 1-0 win over Bournemouth. This wasn't a game of free-flowing football; it was a gritty, hard-fought victory, and the Toffees have one man to thank for the winner: Jack Grealish. His goal was the difference, sealing Everton's first-ever win at Bournemouth's ground.
Grealish revealed that his teammates and coaches had been telling him to be more direct. "People were just saying to me, 'Just shoot tomorrow'," he said. He took that advice to heart, and it paid off. The win continues a strong run of away form for Everton, who have now won three of their last four games and find themselves in the top half of the table.
For Bournemouth, it was a completely different story. Their manager, Andoni Iraola, was brutally honest in his assessment. "It has been a really poor game from our side," he stated. "We've been bad on the ball... I'm definitely disappointed with the performance." He felt his team lacked energy and aggression, admitting that Everton controlled the game and deserved the win. It was a tough pill to swallow for the Cherries, who will need to reset and regroup quickly.
Conclusion
What a wild ride! From a nine-goal classic to a gritty 1-0 slugfest, Tuesday night delivered everything we love about the Premier League. The undisputed highlight was Erling Haaland's history-making 100th goal, an astonishing feat that confirms his place among the all-time greats, even at this early stage of his career.
While Manchester City will be relieved to have survived Fulham's heroic comeback, teams like Newcastle will be ruing dropped points. Meanwhile, Everton's determined win on the road shows they're building something solid. It was a night of pure drama, and with the festive fixtures coming thick and fast, it feels like we're just getting started.
