Doku delivers knockout blow as Manchester City punish Iwobi’s Fulham for poor finishing

Manchester City survived a late scare to defeat Fulham 3-2 and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Manchester City endured a difficult afternoon against Fulham at the Etihad but stood firm to come away with all three points.

Manchester City started strongly, with İlkay Gündoğan and Erling Haaland threatening early on. But it was Fulham who fashioned the best chance, only for Ederson to deny Adama Traore after Raul Jiménez’s pinpoint pass.

Fulham soon took the lead, though, as Jimenez’s clever flick set up Andreas Pereira to volley home. Marco Silva’s side should have doubled their advantage minutes later, but Traore sent his effort over the bar after Alex Iwobi’s perfect layoff.

City quickly equalized through Mateo Kovacić’s thunderous deflected effort, his second goal of the season.

The Croatian struck again just after halftime, guiding the ball into the corner from the edge of the area.

Fulham continued to push, with Traore again being thwarted by Ederson.

The Cottagers probed for an equalizer, but substitute Jérémy Doku’s stunning strike from distance sealed the win for City.

A late Rodrigo Muniz goal offered brief hope, but City held on to extend their unbeaten league run to 30 matches and their unbeaten home run to 50 games.