Manchester City climbed into top position in the Premier League rankings as Erling Haaland scored a stunning penalty-kick game-winner against Fulham on his return from injury. The Citizens won 2-1 in a game in which they played the last hour with 10 men.
As a result of Haaland’s 95th-minute penalty convert, Man City moved one point ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League rankings. The Gunners face Chelsea on Sunday, with a chance to reclaim first place.
With Erling Haaland starting on the bench, City were in command from the opening whistle and they took the lead through Haaland’s replacement, Julian Alvarez. But the match was turned on its head on a 26th-minute play that resulted in a red card to City’s Joao Cancelo and a penalty for Fulham.
Cancelo shouldered Fulham winger Harry Wilson in the box after a long pass into the City half squirted into his path. Referee Darren England had no reservations. Andreas Pereira, Fulham’s offensive midfielder, converted the penalty to tie the game at 1-1.
Man City seemed the most likely to score, especially with Haaland coming on with 25 minutes left. With 15 minutes remaining, the huge Norwegian attempted to score, but it was called off after the VAR saw Haaland offside.
The game appeared to be heading to a draw when Fulham’s American left-back Antonee Robinson clipped Kevin De Bruyne in the area, resulting in a straightforward penalty, which Haaland converted for his 18th goal of the season.
Fulham came close to a point despite missing star attacker Aleksandar Mitrovic due to an ankle injury. As the visitors failed to improve on their seventh-place start, striker Carlos Vinicius took his spot at the top of the Cottagers’ assault.
