‘It was a confident round despite the brutal conditions and pouring rain over the final 10 holes,’ said 17-year-Rayan
sports3 days ago
Pep Guardiola said Mateo Kovacic is "very important" to Manchester City after the Croatian's double clinched a dramatic 3-2 win against Fulham on Saturday.
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.
"I'm very happy he scored two goals. He's not a guy who scores goals. Maybe he saw Rodri, the goals he's scored in that position," Guardiola said.
"When they defend with five at the back there is one man free in the 18-yard box and that is Kovacic.
"The two goals is because they cannot defend that position. The first goal was brilliant and the second one as well.
"Kova was really important but now the opponents know they cannot leave him alone, otherwise he can score a goal."
It was a memorable day for the 30-year-old, who said: "It means a lot because my wife is pregnant, so it was great to get some goals for the little one.
"It's nice to score but the most important thing is the team and that we won."
City started strongly with Ilkay Gundogan driving just wide and Erling Haaland shooting across the face of goal, but they switched off in 26th minute and were made to pay.
Failing to deal with a deep cross from Antonee Robinson, City allowed the ball to be worked inside to Raul Jimenez, whose clever backheel flick dropped perfectly for Pereira to volley home.
Guardiola's men began their fightback just after the half-hour mark.
Kovacic drove in from the edge of the box, via a deflection off Joachim Anderson, after a corner fell to him invitingly.
The former Chelsea star put City ahead with an assured finish two minutes after the break.
Bernardo Silva's lay-off found Kovacic and he did the rest, beating Sander Berge with a nice touch and curling home from 18 yards.
Doku bagged the vital third goal in the 82nd minute as he cut inside from the left and rattled a shot into the top corner.
Fulham made City work until the end as Muniz turned to score with a deflected shot two minutes from full-time.
ALSO READ:
‘It was a confident round despite the brutal conditions and pouring rain over the final 10 holes,’ said 17-year-Rayan
sports3 days ago
Dubai Basketball will be looking to win their third straight game when they take on the Serbian team at Coca-Cola Arena on Saturday
sports3 days ago
APGC Chairman Amin highlights the UAE’s impressive growth in golf and anticipates the 2025 Championship will build on the nation's legacy of hosting prestigious tournaments
sports3 days ago
The teenage duo will join a field of 120 golfers from 43 APGC member nations in the tournament that concludes on Sunday
sports4 days ago
“It has been a privilege to witness and contribute to the growth of both Dubai and the golf industry here,” said McMurdo as he reflected on his time at Dubai's famous Resort Golf Course
sports4 days ago
The second season will see six teams vying for the honours in London after the inaugural season was won by Triveni Continental Kings in Dubai last year
sports4 days ago
The champion of this week's tournament will earn invites to both The Masters and The Open
sports4 days ago
His strategy involves investing in modern amenities, expanding instructional programs, and highlighting the course's unique features in Dubai's competitive golf landscape
sports5 days ago