Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Premier League against Fulham at the weekend – and one player really stepped up.
City were really tested by Fulham, who took the lead in the game through Andreas Pereira.
They might well have increased their lead, had it not been for Ederson making two very big saves from Adama Traore in the first-half.
Mateo Kovacic then scored a brace, before Jeremy Doku sealed the win with a rocket of a strike.
Fulham did find a consolation through Rodrigo Muniz, but the Cottagers left it too late to mount a comeback.
It was a fine afternoon for Doku despite starting on the bench, and Paul Dickov raved over the Belgian after the game.
Paul Dickov says Jeremy Doku is a complete ‘game-changer’ for Man City after Fulham stunner
City could have dropped points against Fulham on Saturday.
The Cottagers look a solid outfit under Marco Silva and if they play like they did against City on Saturday, they will give plenty of teams trouble this season.
Ultimately, they were made to pay for not being clinical.
Traore was a guilty party, and Pep Guardiola has since revealed that he jokingly thanked the player after the game for not scoring.
But one man who did have his shooting boots on is Doku, who left City legend Paul Dickov amazed.
He told the club’s official YouTube channel: “He’ll only get better.
“He was unbelievable last season for a young boy coming into a team like Man City and to have the impact that he did.
“He was up against Jack, Phil, all the other fantastic wingers we had.
“He had a little dip towards the end of the season where people were saying he had to be more consistent with his end product.
“He’s working on it. You’ve seen today, the ability he’s got – he’s a game-changer.
“Whether it’s beating a man, getting an assist or cutting inside and sticking it in the top corner. He’s got that in his locker and we’re going to see more and more of that.”
Doku must kick on
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Doku’s goal against Fulham was amazing and the winger must now seek to build on that effort.
Last season, the star finished with 18 goal contributions in 45 appearances (seven goals, 11 assists) which was a very respectable haul considering he’d just signed as a young player for £55 million.
When people think about game-changers at Manchester City, Erling Haaland is probably the first player that comes to mind due to his incredible goalscoring ability.
He can change games for City in a flash.
But Doku is also someone who falls into this category, and it really is just about him becoming more consistent in the final third, because the ability is there.
