Man City sink Fulham to get title bid back on track

Mateo Kovacic scored twice as Manchester City clinched a dramatic 3-2 win against Fulham on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a first half shock when Andreas Pereira put Fulham ahead at the Etihad Stadium.

But Kovacic, filling in for the injured Rodri, struck either side of half-time to settle City’s nerves.

The Croatian midfielder’s brace was followed by Jeremy Doku’s blistering strike before Rodrigo Muniz netted Fulham’s second to set up a tense finish.

City remain unbeaten in their first 10 games in all competitions this season, with five wins from seven league matches putting them firmly in contention for a fifth successive title.

They sit in second place, one point behind leaders Liverpool after ending a two-match winless run in the top flight.

Questions have been asked over how City will cope without the influential Rodri after the Spain international was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

But while Guardiola may have been concerned at how Fulham were able to take control for spells, in Kovacic they have an able deputy.

City started strongly with Ilkay Gundogan driving just wide and Erling Haaland shooting across the face of goal.

Haaland also had a free-kick blocked and then headed at Bernardo Leno before City were caught napping on Fulham’s first attack as Adama Traore broke away from Rico Lewis.

The Spaniard should have punished City but was denied by the feet of Ederson.

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City switched off again in 26th minute and this time were made to pay.

They failed to deal with a deep cross from Antonee Robinson and the ball was worked inside to Raul Jimenez, whose clever backheel flick dropped perfectly for Pereira to