Manchester City found themselves in a precarious position as they faced Fulham in a dramatic Premier League encounter at the Etihad Stadium. With Rodri sidelined due to a serious knee injury, questions arose over how City would fare without their midfield anchor. However, Mateo Kovacic stepped up in spectacular fashion, netting two crucial goals to lead the champions to a 3-2 comeback victory.
The match began with Fulham taking the early initiative. The visitors stunned City when Andreas Pereira fired them into the lead after 26 minutes. Fulham, buoyed by their strong start, had several opportunities to extend their advantage, with Adama Traore, a former City tormentor, spurning a number of gilt-edged chances. Traore, who had haunted City five seasons ago with three goals for Wolves, found himself in dangerous positions but was unable to capitalize, much to the frustration of Fulham fans.
Kovacic, however, seized the moment to make Fulham pay for their missed chances. Filling in for the injured Rodri, the Croatian midfielder equalized just after the half-hour mark, driving a deflected shot into the net after a corner fell to him at the edge of the box. It was the spark City needed as they began to wrest control of the game.
City continued to press, with Josko Gvardiol forcing a save and Bernardo Silva going close, but it was Kovacic who once again delivered, this time just two minutes into the second half. After a clever lay-off from Silva, Kovacic beat Sander Berge with a sharp touch and curled a precise shot into the net from 18 yards, giving City the lead.
Despite going behind, Fulham refused to back down. Traore, using his blistering pace, nearly leveled the score after beating Kyle Walker, but his poor finishing allowed Ederson to deny him yet again. Fulham continued to push, with Raul Jimenez also threatening, but City’s defense held firm, with Gvardiol making a crucial challenge to keep the scoreline intact.
Substitute Jeremy Doku seemingly put the game out of reach for Fulham with a stunning strike late in the second half. Cutting inside from the left, Doku unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the top corner, giving City a two-goal cushion. However, Fulham managed to keep the tension alive until the final whistle, with Rodrigo Muniz scoring a late consolation goal with a deflected effort.
The victory showcased City’s resilience and their ability to adapt without their star midfielder Rodri. While Pep Guardiola might have concerns over Fulham’s ability to control parts of the game, the emergence of Kovacic as a reliable deputy is a promising sign. His brace, combined with Doku’s sublime finish, ensured City came away with all three points, keeping them in the hunt for the Premier League title.
Fulham, on the other hand, will be left to wonder what might have been, as they rued their missed opportunities to put the game beyond City’s reach early on.
In the end, it was City’s quality and depth that prevailed, with Kovacic leading the charge as the champions showed their mettle once again.
