Mateo Kovacic makes touching dedication after two-goal show in Man City win over Fulham

Mateo Kovacic dedicated his two goal super-show to pregnant wife Izabel - then admitted victory over was anything but child's play.

Fulham pushed champions but City had Kovacic to thank for goals in either half - and keeper Ederson for key saves from Adama Traore.

“It means a lot because my wife is pregnant so it was great to get some goals for the little one” said Kovacic. “It's nice to score but the most important thing is the team and that we won today but we had to show great character.”

Kovacic admitted his goals and performance were crucial with Rodri out for the season. he said: "I am playing there in the middle at the moment and of course we need to cover for Rodri, we miss him a lot, any team would miss him the player he is.”

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

City boss Guardiola, who claimed it was impossible to control the pace of Traore, was delighted with victory.

“It was intense, tight, chances for them, chances for us. We started well and created many chances and it was tougher when they went to five at the back. It was a risk to manage it but in the end we did.”

On replacing Rodri, he said: "We don't have him now this season so we have to find a solution. We have Kova, Gundo, we can put John [Stones] in that role, Rico [Lewis], Manu [Akanji] so we have to find a way. Of course the presence of Rodri is important in this type of game with the transitions but we played really well."

Dejected Fulham boss Marco Silva was proud at the way his stars slugged it out with City, but conceded missed chances allowed a famous victory slip away.

“We have to be really unhappy with the result, that’s the feeling we share in the dressing room” said Silva. “The players executed the plan really well but we deserved more from the game

“We had four clear chances to score,one on one with Ederson and the last 15 minutes we had control of the ball.

“To see City finish with five at the back gives us the courage to continue the way we want to go.”

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our