City surges to top of Premier League

LONDON: Manchester City beat Fulham 2-1 to return to the top of the Premier League as Erling Haaland scored his 50th goal of the season in all competitions.

Haaland converted a third-minute penalty, after Julian Alvarez had been fouled by Tim Ream, to become the first top-flight player to reach a half-century of goals in one campaign since Tom Waring did so for Aston Villa in 1931.

The Norwegian striker also moved level for most goals in a Premier League season - matching the 34 goals Andy Cole scored for Newcastle in 1993-94 and the same amount Alan Shearer registered for Blackburn a year later.

However, Fulham grabbed a 15th-minute equaliser with its first attempt of the match as Carlos Vinicius powerfully shot past Ederson after Harry Wilson had headed the ball into his path.

But the host could not hang on to record what might have been a remarkable result. rt pushed on to the crossbar for Manchester City, which regained its lead in the 36th minute through Alvarez’s superb strike from 25 yards out.

City’s win moves it above - and one point clear of - Arsenal, with Pep Guardiola’s side having a game in hand.

RESULTS: Fulham 1 (Vinicius 15) lost to Manchester City 2 (Haaland 3 –pen, Alvarez 36); Manchester United 1 (Fernandes 39) bt Aston Villa 0; Newcastle United 3 (Wilson 54, 81; Walcott 79 –og) bt Southampton 1 (Armstrong 41)