Manchester City edged out Fulham in a thrilling 3-2 encounter at the Etihad Stadium, with Mateo Kovacic emerging as the match-winner, scoring twice to help his side maintain pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool. City’s performance was a mix of defensive vulnerability and attacking resolve, as they recovered from an early setback to grab a vital three points, just ahead of the October international break.
Fulham, despite being clear underdogs, showed their attacking prowess early on, and it was Andreas Pereira who opened the scoring for the visitors. The goal was a result of some well-executed teamwork, with Alex Iwobi’s involvement leading to Raul Jimenez, who set up Pereira with a deft back-heel. The Brazilian midfielder, a former Manchester United player, made no mistake as he tapped the ball home, much to the delight of the travelling Fulham supporters.
However, City, determined to keep their title charge on course, responded swiftly. Fulham’s lead was short-lived, as City’s relentless pressure eventually paid off. A poorly cleared corner fell to Mateo Kovacic, and although his shot took a deflection, it found its way past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Kovacic’s first goal injected fresh energy into the City ranks, and the momentum began to shift in their favor as the match progressed.
City could have taken the lead before half-time, as Bernardo Silva’s header from close range narrowly missed the target. Fulham, despite their defensive efforts, were finding it increasingly difficult to contain the attacking prowess of Pep Guardiola’s side. City’s persistence was rewarded shortly after the break when Kovacic struck again. This time, Silva was the provider, delivering a clever pass into the path of the Croatian midfielder, who curled the ball beautifully past Leno into the far corner, giving City a 2-1 lead.
Fulham, to their credit, did not capitulate despite being behind. Adama Traore, a constant menace on the right flank, continued to test City’s defense with his pace and direct running. At one point, he even outpaced Kyle Walker, known for his speed, but as was the case for most of the afternoon, his finishing let him down. Fulham created several half-chances but were unable to convert them, leaving them to rue their missed opportunities.
City looked to have sealed the victory when substitute Jeremy Doku, who replaced Jack Grealish, cut inside from the wing and unleashed a powerful shot to make it 3-1. Doku’s goal seemed to put the game beyond doubt, but Fulham refused to lie down. In the dying moments of the match, Rodrigo Muniz, another Fulham substitute, pulled a goal back, setting up a tense finale.
Muniz’s strike, an 88th-minute effort, created an anxious atmosphere at the Etihad, as City suddenly found themselves holding onto a narrow 3-2 lead. Despite Fulham’s late resurgence, City’s defense held firm in stoppage time, securing a hard-fought victory. The win kept City just one point behind Liverpool, ensuring that the title race remains finely poised heading into the international break.
Looking at the performances of individual players, Manchester City had a few standout contributions, with Kovacic taking center stage. His two goals proved decisive, and although his first was somewhat fortunate due to a deflection, his second was a moment of real quality. Kovacic was a constant presence in midfield, showcasing his ability to link play between defense and attack. While he doesn’t provide the same level of defensive solidity as Rodri, his offensive contributions more than made up for it on the day.
In defense, City had some mixed performances. Ederson, the City goalkeeper, made a number of important saves, particularly when Fulham threatened on the counter-attack. He was quick off his line to deny Traore early on and dealt well with the aerial threat posed by Fulham’s forward players. Rico Lewis, playing at right-back, showed flashes of brilliance with his technical ability, but he was also guilty of losing possession in dangerous areas. His contribution to Doku’s goal, however, redeemed his performance somewhat.
City’s center-backs, Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias, had a relatively quiet afternoon but were caught out during key moments of Fulham’s attacks. Akanji, in particular, was beaten by Jimenez’s clever back-heel in the build-up to Pereira’s goal. However, both players recovered well and dealt with most of Fulham’s attacking forays, especially as the game wore on. Josko Gvardiol, playing at left-back, was solid in his defensive duties and distributed the ball efficiently, helping City to maintain possession and build attacks from the back.
In midfield, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden were instrumental in driving City forward. Silva, as always, was intelligent in his use of the ball and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself. He did, however, provide the assist for Kovacic’s second goal and was a constant threat to Fulham’s defense. Foden, on the other hand, had a quieter afternoon but still played a key role in City’s build-up play. His cross eventually led to the corner from which Kovacic scored his first goal.
Ilkay Gundogan, who returned to City after a stint with Barcelona, struggled to make a significant impact. Despite getting into good positions with his late runs into the box, the German midfielder was unable to find the back of the net, missing a couple of decent chances. His performance was somewhat subdued, and he was eventually substituted late in the game.
Up front, Erling Haaland had a surprisingly quiet afternoon by his own high standards. The Norwegian striker was well marshaled by Fulham’s defense and found it difficult to impose himself on the game. He had a couple of half-chances but was unable to convert them, leaving him frustrated. Jack Grealish, playing on the left wing, also had a mixed afternoon. While he was always looking to take on defenders and create opportunities, his final product was often lacking.
City’s substitutions played a key role in securing the victory. Kyle Walker, who came on for Akanji, had a rare off day, as he was beaten for pace by Traore at one point, something that doesn’t happen often. However, Doku’s introduction for Grealish injected some much-needed energy into City’s attack, and his goal ultimately proved to be the difference.
For Fulham, despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives to take from the game. Andreas Pereira was one of their standout performers, taking his goal well and linking up effectively with his teammates. Raul Jimenez also deserves credit for his assist, showcasing his intelligence and awareness with a clever back-heel that set up Pereira for the opener.
Adama Traore, while a constant threat with his pace, was let down by his finishing. He had several chances to get on the scoresheet but failed to make the most of them. Fulham’s defense, while generally solid, had a few lapses in concentration that cost them dearly. Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey both struggled at times, particularly when dealing with City’s quick passing and movement.
Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva, will have been encouraged by his side’s performance, especially given the quality of the opposition. His team stayed in the game for long periods and could have come away with a point had they been more clinical in front of goal. However, defensive mistakes and missed opportunities ultimately proved their undoing.
In summary, Manchester City’s 3-2 victory over Fulham was a hard-earned one, with Kovacic’s brace proving decisive. City remain hot on the heels of Liverpool in the Premier League title race, but Pep Guardiola will be aware that his side need to tighten up defensively, especially with Rodri absent. For Fulham, despite the loss, there were signs of encouragement, and they will take heart from their performance as they look to climb the table in the coming weeks.
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