Samuel Chukwueze’s brilliant showing against Manchester City at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night has earned him a fresh wave of admiration among his teammates, along with a new nickname that is quickly catching on. The Nigerian forward, currently on loan from AC Milan, delivered a standout performance that shifted the mood of the stadium and reignited belief even in a game that seemed long lost.
Fulham had slipped to a daunting 5 to 1 scoreline, yet Chukwueze’s energy and sharp finishing sparked a spirited fightback. He struck twice, pushing the match into a lively 5 to 4 finish and reminding the home crowd why he has become one of the team’s most exciting players this season. With two goals and three assists in just seven appearances, his influence has been impossible to ignore.
Speaking after the match, Alex Iwobi revealed that Chukwueze has been christened Chukwu Magic in the dressing room. He explained that the nickname grew from the remarkable skills Chukwueze displays during training sessions and the way he consistently brings that same spark onto the pitch. Iwobi, who also scored in the nine goal showdown, made it clear that Chukwueze’s flair and creativity set him apart.
Iwobi noted that while the squad relies on every player working together, Chukwueze offers something extra that can change the rhythm of a match. He shared that he enjoys feeding him the ball because he knows something dangerous is likely to come from it. According to him, as long as the winger stays focused and maintains his consistency, the team and supporters will continue to stand firmly behind him.
Fulham’s battle with City could easily have ended in discouragement after they went three goals down early and later trailed by four. Yet Iwobi pointed out that manager Marco Silva played a vital role in keeping the team mentally alive. At halftime, Silva urged the players to keep fighting regardless of the scoreline, reminding them that the fans remained fully behind them. That message, combined with the loud support from the stands, helped fuel Fulham’s second half surge.
Iwobi acknowledged the home supporters for lifting the atmosphere all through the match, describing them as almost a twelfth player on the field. He praised the collective effort of the squad and staff for pushing until the end, even though the result fell short of what they hoped for.
Iwobi’s stunning curler in the fifty seventh minute opened the door for the comeback, beating goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with precision. Chukwueze then stepped in with two quick strikes, giving the crowd renewed hope and turning Craven Cottage into a roar of belief. Fulham pressed until the final seconds, with Josh King seeing a late effort cleared off the line as City held on.
The victory kept City within two points of Arsenal, who still had a game to play. Fulham now shift focus to their next outing, where they will welcome Christian Uche’s Crystal Palace for another London derby at Craven Cottage.
