(foto: Getty Images)
Mateo Kovačić stepped up in Rodri’s absence, scoring twice to lead Manchester City to a crucial 3-2 win over Fulham, breaking a run of two consecutive Premier League draws.
Mateo Kovačić delivered a brilliant performance in Manchester City’s crucial 3-2 victory over Fulham in the seventh round of the Premier League, keeping the reigning champions level at the top with Liverpool and Arsenal. Kovačić scored his first goal in the 32nd minute to equalize at 1-1, and his second in the 47th minute to turn the match around for a 2-1 lead.
City barely scraped the win, as Fulham’s winger Adama Traore missed three big chances. Spain’s most-read sports media, Marca, highlighted Kovačić’s superb display, placing it in the context of Rodri’s serious injury, which will sideline the key player for the rest of the season.
Under the headline "Kovačić transformed into Rodri and led City to a hard-fought comeback with two goals", Marca wrote: "A difficult victory over Fulham ended City’s streak of two consecutive Premier League draws."
The Spaniards added: "Kovačić’s goal in the 32nd minute brought City back into the match after the opponent's lead. His goal woke up Pep’s side, who bombarded Fulham for the rest of the half, but without success until two minutes after the break, when Kovačić once again appeared on the edge of the penalty area and scored for the 2-1 lead. This was the Croatian's third goal in his last seven matches."