The Argentina striker scored a stunner and won a penalty at Craven Cottage, as City held on for a battling 2-1 win in west London
On another record-equalling day for Erling Haaland, it was his understudy who stole all the headlines for Manchester City.
Indeed, Julian Alvarez scored the goal that sent the defending champions back to the top of the Premier League.
Alvarez was only in the City team after Kevin De Bruyne was ruled out through injury, but wasted little in time in making an impact, as he won a penalty inside 90 seconds after a foul by Tim Ream.
Haaland converted from the spot for his 34th Premier League goal of the season, but Carlos Vinicius pulled Fulham level after 15 minutes with a fine finish.
Alvarez, though, produced a moment of individual brilliance to fire a 25-yard strike past the otherwise impressive Bernd Leno for what proved to be the winner midway through the first half.
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With that goal, Man City moved from the second place in Premier League standing to the first place, with a game in hand.
