Manchester City faced Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on October 5, 2023, showcasing yet another thrilling Premier League clash. Despite Fulham’s fierce competition, the defending champions emerged victorious with a 3-2 win, marking their 17th consecutive victory against the London side.
It was Andreas Pereira who put the visitors on the scoreboard first, netting the ball just past the half-hour mark. The Cottagers capitalized on City’s less than stellar start, following some close attempts from the Blues' players. Pereira’s goal came after Raul Jiménez cleverly back-heeled the ball to him, giving him the perfect position to strike from close range. City had visibly struggled to convert their earlier chances, having seen Ilkay Gündogan and Erling Haaland come dangerously close within the first few minutes.
Not to be daunted, City’s Mateo Kovacic quickly responded, leveling the game just six minutes later. After enduring the pressure, Kovacic dispatched a powerful shot from outside the box, beating Fulham's goalkeeper Bernd Leno. This equalizer sparked renewed energy within the home side, motivating them as they headed toward the end of the first half.
The second half started with momentum firmly on City’s side. Just two minutes after the resumption, Kovacic struck again; this time with finesse, curling the ball past Leno after receiving a well-timed assist from Bernardo Silva. It was Kovacic’s single-game double, and his performance was pivotal—a bright spot amid the early Chaos.
Despite City taking the lead, Fulham remained dangerous, demonstrating impressive attacking prowess throughout the match. The visitors had their opportunities to equalize yet again with Adama Traoré and Jiménez posing considerable threats on the break. City’s goalkeeper, Ederson, was pivotal, making several key saves, most notable when he denied Traoré’s shot on multiple occasions.
City’s tactical adjustments came about halfway through the second half as Pep Guardiola subbed on Kyle Walker and Jeremy Doku, hoping to stabilize the defense against Fulham’s relentless attack. Yet, the visitors continued to press, making City’s players visibly unsettled.
With about seven minutes left, Doku, showing flashes of brilliance, delivered the third goal for City. He drove down the left wing and unleashed a stunning shot from the edge of the box, which sailed past Leno and settled at the top corner of the net—sealing the deal for City and creating enough breathing room, or so they thought.
Fulham had one final trick up their sleeve, with Rodrigo Muniz scoring late—bringing the total to 3-2, pushing City to defend vigorously until the final whistle. The competitive nature of the match left fans both on the edge of their seats and proud of the sheer skill on display.
This match not only underscored City’s prowess, achieving 30 games unbeaten streak—tying the club's record—but also emphasized Fulham’s progressive standing this season as they sought to challenge stronger teams. City now currently rides the momentum of this victory, sitting comfortably on the second spot of the Premier League table, ready to face Wolverhampton Wanderers post-international break.
The post-match reflections of Kovacic were heartfelt. He stated, “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 the win.” Coach Pep Guardiola added praise for Kovacic's performance, emphasizing how well he adjusted to both defensive and attacking duties. “The two goals from Kovacic were fantastic, particularly with Fulham setting up defensively. He managed to find spaces which we effectively exploited.”
Looking forward, the champions have ample confidence but know the road directly ahead includes strategic focus as they prepare to face off against their next opponents. With Fulham showcasing their potential, it remains clear; the Premier League season is heating up.
