Fulham and Man City set the tone for the most captivating Premier League game this season at Craven Cottage on Tuesday, with Pep Guardiola’s squad emerging as the final 5-4 victors.

Erling Haaland opened the scoring, becoming the quickest player in Premier League history to reach 100 goals, achieving this feat in just 111 matches. Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden extended the lead to 3-0 before Emile Smith Rowe reduced the deficit shortly before halftime.

Foden netted his second and City’s fourth goal almost immediately after the teams returned to the pitch, and a Sander Berge own goal put City in control. However, Fulham fought back fiercely.

Alex Iwobi scored to narrow the gap, and Samuel Chukwueze’s two goals within six minutes intensified the pressure on the visitors. Nevertheless, City managed to secure the victory, and several lessons emerged.

Phil Foden has truly returned to form

There have been previous signs, but after Foden’s display here, it’s clear he has fully regained his top form following a somewhat underwhelming 18 months for the England international.

His first goal was expertly finished. After some chaotic moments in Fulham’s box from a Man City corner, the ball landed at Foden’s feet, who was completely unmarked just outside the area, and he calmly directed it into the net, leaving Bernd Leno helpless.

Regarding Foden’s second goal, he benefited from a bit of fortune when Haaland’s unintended touch placed the ball right in front of him, but his intelligent run to get into that position was excellent. No Fulham defender tracked him, and he was perfectly positioned, reminiscent of his best days.

City have been in need of someone to ease some of the burden on Haaland, not that he necessarily requires it, and Foden’s resurgence could offer an additional scoring threat. A sharp Foden might even unsettle league leaders Arsenal .

Emile Smith Rowe deserves more starts

Only Marco Silva knows why Smith Rowe has started just twice in the Premier League this season, including this game against City. The former Arsenal talent is arguably Fulham’s most inventive player but hasn’t had much opportunity to showcase his abilities.

Smith Rowe finished the match as the most precise passer among outfield players who played 45 minutes or more, boasting a 95 percent pass accuracy.

That’s impressive against a Guardiola side known for dominating possession and passing.

Despite limited starts, Smith Rowe is currently Fulham’s joint second top scorer with two goals, averaging 0.53 goals per 90 minutes.

He also leads the team in expected goals (xG) generated per 90 minutes with 0.40, showing he consistently finds good attacking positions.

Having a reliable creative presence would be a major advantage for Silva and Fulham. Smith Rowe should be given more chances to prove his quality.

Erling Haaland is (likely) the greatest goal scorer in Premier League history

It’s hard to overstate how remarkable it is to score 100 goals in just 111 Premier League appearances.

When Alan Shearer reached that mark in 124 games, few expected it to be surpassed, especially in such a competitive league.

If, and it’s a significant if, the Norwegian machine stays at Man City for the duration of his newly signed nine-year deal, it’s almost certain he will break Shearer’s record of 260 goals.

Sure, there have been more all-around strikers in the Premier League era who contribute more defensively or creatively, but Haaland is a genuine goal-scoring phenomenon and probably the best finisher the league has ever witnessed.