Manchester City came from behind to beat Fulham 3-2 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola‘s side made a shaky start and fell behind on 26 minutes. Former Man United midfielder Andreas Pereira volleyed Fulham in front following a cheeky back-heeled assist from Raul Jimenez.
But who spared the champions? Who was ‘peripheral’, and who else impressed and struggled throughout the game?
Mateo Kovacic netted a double and Jeremy Doku was also on the scoresheet, and a late Rodrigo Muniz strike proved to be only a consolation.
JACK GAUGHAN was at the Etihad Stadium for Mail Sport. Read on for his player ratings.
Manchester City beat Fulham in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday
Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic scored two goals for City – his first club double for 10 years
Jeremy Doku was also on the scoresheet for the English champions on Saturday afternoon
MAN CITY (4-2-3-1)
Ederson – 8.5
Two massive saves when Adama Traore went clean through, at 0-0 and 2-1, spared the champions.
Rico Lewis – 7
Excellent on the ball, a little unsure off it. Couldn’t get to grips with Traore’s physicality but then significantly better as the game wore on.
Manuel Akanji – 6.5
Some fine interventions and looks like he’s playing at his own pace. Maybe should’ve done better for the opener.
Ruben Dias – 6.5
Huge block to deny Jimenez when Fulham broke at pace at 2-1. The sort of situations he thrives in.
Josko Gvardiol – 7
City’s sturdiest defender. Stood up to Alex Iwobi and offers that extra bit of protection centrally for Dias.
Manuel Akanji (right) started for City but he was substituted off for Kyle Walker on 62 minutes
City right back Rico Lewis pictured (left) shielding the ball from Fulham striker Raul Jimenez
Josko Gvardiol pictured (right) riding a challenge from Fulham playmaker Andreas Pereira
Mateo Kovacic – 7.5
Dragged City back into the game with goals either side of the break. All-action. Sometimes a touch clumsy.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
The central midfielder was asked to go beyond Haaland. Didn’t carry a major goal threat in there.
Bernardo Silva – 6
Didn’t appear to do a lot on the right before a clever simple pass allowed Kovacic the room to notch after half time.
Phil Foden – 6.5
First league start of the season and looked back to his energetic self; strong run down the left for Kovacic’s second.
Jack Grealish – 6
In and out performance. Dangerous when driving at the byline; peripheral for much of the afternoon.
Kovacic pictured (left) celebrating his second goal of the game with team-mate Phil Foden
Jack Grealish (right) touched the ball 36 times during a 61-minute outing before being subbed
Ilkay Gundogan completed 88.7 per cent of his 62 passes against Fulham at the Etihad Stadium
Erling Haaland – 6
Very, very quiet after an early flurry of incidents. Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey deserve credit for that.
Substitutes
Kyle Walker (for Akanji, 62) – 5.5
Jeremy Doku (for Grealish, 62) – 7
John Stones (for Foden, 78) – n/a
Matheus Nunes (for Gundogan, 88) – n/a
Subs not used: Ortega, Carson, Savinho, McAtee
FULHAM (4-2-3-1)
Bernd Leno – 6
Not a day when he was called on to make a raft of saves. Distribution might have been slicker.
Kenny Tete – 6
Was done around the outside by Grealish on a few occasions. Faced a stern examination at right back.
Joachim Andersen – 7
Organiser of a Fulham defence that managed to snuff out danger from Haaland for most of the day.
Calvin Bassey – 6.5
Threw himself in front of shots when Fulham were under intense pressure in the first half.
Antonee Robinson – 6.5
A very useful outlet for Marco Silva on the left-hand side. Struggled when occasionally faced up by Silva.
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno (right) was beaten three times but he also made four saves
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey (right) was shown a yellow card for fouling Phil Foden (left)
Antonee Robinson pictured (left) taking on Manchester City defender Lewis on Saturday
Sander Berge – 6
Much of his work was off the ball. Tried to shadow Gundogan’s runs. Covered a fair amount of ground.
Sasa Lukic – 6
Role was to put pressure on City’s midfield when they crept forward and did act as a pest in that regard.
Adama Traore – 5.5
Always threatening but guilty of missing three huge chances for the visitors either side of half time.
Andreas Pereira – 7
Showed a keen eye for a pass when actually given the ball (20 touches) and ghosted in for his goal brilliantly in behind Akanji.
Andreas Pereira (right) scored the game’s opening goal with a volleyed finish from close range
Alex Iwobi – 6.5
Clever use of possession and waited for his chances when Fulham felt they could counter the hosts.
Raul Jimenez – 7
One of the most magical pieces of skill the Premier League will see all season to set up Pereira.
Substitutes
Tom Cairney (for Berge, 65) – 6
Emile Smith Rowe (for Pereira, 65) – 6
Reiss Nelson (for Iwobi, 77) – n/a
Timothy Castagne (for Tete, 77) – n/a
Rodrigo Muniz (for Jimenez, 77) – n/a