In what turned out to be an edge-of-your-seat Premier League clash, Manchester City narrowly edged out Fulham 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium. The hero of the night was none other than Mateo Kovacic, who, filling in for the injured Rodri, delivered two crucial goals that saw City fight back from an early deficit. The win not only extended City’s unbeaten run but also demonstrated their resilience and depth.
A Shaky Start for City
City fans were stunned when Fulham took the lead just 26 minutes into the game. The visitors’ midfielder Andreas Pereira managed to slip past City’s defense and fired a quick shot from close range that found the back of the net. It was a blow to the reigning champions, who hadn’t tasted defeat in their last 30 Premier League games at home. The mood at the Etihad grew tense, but little did they know that Kovacic was about to light up the night.
Kovacic Steps Up
With the absence of Rodri, City’s midfield was missing their usual anchor. But Mateo Kovacic, recently stepping into a more prominent role, rose to the occasion and more. At 32 minutes, Kovacic slotted a perfect low strike into the bottom corner from just inside the box. The goal not only equalized the score but also reignited the team’s fighting spirit.
Just after the break, the Croatian midfielder once again took matters into his own hands. Positioned at the top of the box, Kovacic unleashed another precise shot that left Fulham’s keeper Bentley with no chance. Two goals from a player more known for his playmaking than goal-scoring—Kovacic was showing his versatility and value.
Doku Seals the Deal
While City continued to push forward, Fulham held firm, withstanding several attacks. But in the 82nd minute, Jeremy Doku—City’s explosive winger—finally put the game to bed. His goal was the final nail in the coffin for Fulham, who had fought valiantly but couldn’t keep up with the relentless pace of the City attack.
Extending Unbeaten Streaks
This victory marked several milestones for Manchester City. Not only did they secure another home win, but they also extended their unbeaten run at the Etihad to 50 games across all competitions. In the Premier League, City is now undefeated in 30 consecutive matches, equaling their best-ever run in the competition.
A large part of this success can be attributed to the performance of Mateo Kovacic. Since joining the club, the Croatian midfielder has seamlessly integrated into City’s dynamic system. His two-goal performance was his first-ever Premier League brace and pushed his tally to three goals for the season—his personal best in the competition.
Kovacic, ever the team player, dedicated his performance to his pregnant wife, adding a personal touch to his night of triumph: “This means so much to me, especially because my wife is pregnant. It’s a joy to be able to score for her and for our new baby. But most importantly, it’s great that we won the game.”
Filling Rodri’s Shoes
Kovacic’s impressive performance comes at a time when Rodri is sidelined due to a knee injury. Known for his ability to break up play and deliver pinpoint long-range strikes, Rodri has been a vital cog in Pep Guardiola’s system. However, with Kovacic stepping into the void, City fans have witnessed a seamless transition.
Speaking on Kovacic’s contributions, Guardiola joked: “Kovacic isn’t exactly known as a goal-scorer. Maybe he saw Rodri score from there before and decided to give it a try. But I’ll take it!”
Kovacic himself was humble about his performance: “I’m just filling in for Rodri. We need him back soon, and I hope he recovers quickly. But for now, I’m doing my best to help the team.”
FAQs
Mateo Kovacic scored twice, and Jeremy Doku added a late goal to secure the 3-2 win for Manchester City.
With this victory, City extended their home unbeaten streak to 50 matches across all competitions.
Mateo Kovacic’s two-goal performance was the key turning point, especially as City had fallen behind early in the match.
Rodri was sidelined due to a knee injury, and Mateo Kovacic filled his role as the defensive midfielder in the game.
Fulham took the lead in the 26th minute with a quick shot from Andreas Pereira, which gave the visitors hope of an upset.
Conclusion
In a thrilling Premier League encounter at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City narrowly defeated Fulham 3-2, thanks to a standout performance by Mateo Kovacic. His two goals came at crucial moments, pulling City from behind and ultimately securing their 30th unbeaten game in the Premier League. With Rodri out of action, Kovacic stepped up in a big way, proving that City’s depth is as formidable as ever.
As City continues their march toward more silverware, performances like these show that they have the resilience and adaptability to handle whatever challenges come their way. For Fulham, it was a brave effort, but in the end, City’s firepower was too much to overcome.
