Fulham recently played out a dramatic 5-4 Premier League defeat against Manchester City at Craven Cottage, a match highlighted by significant contributions from Super Eagles stars Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi. Despite the loss, which followed consecutive wins, including a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, the Cottagers displayed remarkable fighting spirit in a thrilling second-half comeback attempt.

Samuel Chukwueze, coming off the bench as a halftime substitute, proved to be a pivotal figure in Fulham's rally. He opened his Premier League goal account with two strikes, reducing City's formidable lead. His first goal in the 72nd minute, a powerful volley from inside the area, made the score 5-3. Just six minutes later, Chukwueze netted his second, whipping the ball into the goal to bring Fulham within one goal at 5-4. These performances underscore a brilliant run of form for the AC Milan loanee, who has amassed four goal involvements (two goals, two assists) in his last three appearances for the club.

Alex Iwobi also made his mark on the scoresheet, curling a low shot from outside the box in the 57th minute to make it 5-2 and ignite Fulham's efforts. Post-match, Iwobi shared a bittersweet reflection, expressing disappointment over the result but emphasizing the team's commendable fighting spirit, particularly in the second half. He credited the fervent support of the Craven Cottage fans, who provided immense energy throughout the game, acting like a "12th member" on the pitch. Iwobi also lauded Chukwueze's impact, affectionately referring to his teammate by his training ground nickname, "Chukwu-magic," and noting his ability to create and score.

Fulham head coach Marco Silva has consistently praised Chukwueze's growing influence, describing his recent impact as "massive." Silva had previously highlighted Chukwueze's valuable contributions, including an assist in the win against Tottenham and earning the Man of the Match award with an assist in a 1-0 victory over Sunderland. While delighted with Chukwueze's current form, Silva expressed regret that the winger did not join Fulham earlier in the summer transfer window, which would have allowed him to participate in pre-season preparations and potentially avoid a slow start to his tenure at Craven Cottage. Silva also explained that Chukwueze's minutes were being managed due to physical considerations, given his recent full 90-minute performance against Tottenham.

A significant challenge looms for Marco Silva, as he is set to lose Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in approximately 15 days. Silva articulated his sadness at losing such key players, particularly Chukwueze, whom he regards as a "jokey card" capable of making decisive contributions on both wings. He noted Chukwueze's improving decision-making and quality, while also recalling the past injury setbacks the player experienced upon returning from national team duties. The presence of the Nigerian contingent has fostered a positive atmosphere within the squad, with Silva acknowledging that the "Nigerian boys create a great atmosphere for us."

The initial stages of the Manchester City game saw Fulham fall behind significantly, trailing 3-0 by the 44th minute following goals from Erling Haaland, Tijjani Reijnders, and Phil Foden, before Emile Smith Rowe pulled one back. Despite halftime substitutions, City extended their lead to 5-1 early in the second half. This set the stage for Fulham's valiant but ultimately insufficient comeback. An Opta Joe statistic highlighted the rarity of the defeat: it was the first time since 1952 that Fulham had lost a home league game despite scoring four goals. Looking ahead, Fulham will aim to carry their fighting spirit into their next fixture, a London derby against FA Cup champions Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.