Erling Haaland claimed standing over his winning penalty for Manchester City was "one of the most nervous moments of my life".
The Norwegian, who began the day on the bench as he recovered from injury, was introduced with 26 minutes remaining and stepped up for the defending champions as they saw off Fulham. City were made to work for their winner as they played for over an hour with ten men.
Joao Cancelo was dismissed but it didn't stop Pep Guardiola's side, who secured the three points in stoppage time. Haaland converted from 12 yards after Kevin De Bruyne had been fouled by Antonee Robinson, but claimed it was among the most nervous moments he'd experienced.
He told Sky Sports: "I was nervous [for the penalty]. It was one of the most nervous moments of my life, but fantastic. A penalty in the last minute, of course I would be nervous. But amazing feeling. I love it. I have been injured for a week and it is really important to win."
Haaland also added: "I want to play every game. Difficult [to be on the sidelines] but in the end we need three points and that is what we got. I am so tired, but so happy. You have no idea."
The win takes City to the top of the Premier League, at least temporarily with Arsenal getting the chance to respond on Sunday. Haaland's winner came after 94 minutes and 33 seconds - making it the latest winner in the league since Raheem Sterling bagged a vital goal for City against Southampton back in 2017.
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Haaland's incredible season means he has now scored 18 goals in the Premier League - 23 in all competitions. His understudy Julian Alvarez had scored the opener for the hosts at the Etihad before Andreas Pereira levelled from the spot.
Cottagers boss Marco Silva refused to bemoan the gulf in quality between the resources of the two sides, stating: "We know the reality, the type of team we're playing against. Was not just Haaland on the bench - they have much more than that, but we have to look at ourselves and try to improve."
Guardiola said on the victory: "It is good, he took the penalty and scored it. Two different games. 11 v 11 was good, to play 65 minutes with 10 men against Fulham is not easy. It was really, really good, one of the best experiences we have had here. Great to see our people together.
"We live today here for the way we played in the 90 minutes, the way we won. That remains, you have to live it. To see everyone all together was really, really nice."
