Manchester City were forced to come from behind to beat Fulham 3-2 at Etihad Stadium, while Liverpool defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 to remain top of the Premier League on Saturday.
Rodri’s season-long absence due to a serious knee injury is expected to be a major blow to City’s chances of retaining the title for a fifth consecutive season.
But it was the Spaniard’s deputy Mateo Kovacic who scored twice to turn the game around for the champions at the Etihad Stadium.
The visitors had not lost since the opening night of the Premier League season at Manchester United and led thanks to Andreas Pereira’s finish from an outrageous backheel assist by Raul Jimenez.
Kovacic’s deflected effort quickly brought City level before a cleaner strike less than two minutes into the second half made it 2-1.
Jeremy Doku then smashed into the top corner from outside the box to give City a two-goal cushion, which they needed.
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Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham hope on 88 minutes, but City held out for a 17th consecutive win against the Cottagers.
Liverpool also recorded a victory in their Premier League against Crystal Palace.
Arne Slot has now won nine of his first 10 games since succeeding Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager but was frustrated that the visitors invited a late onslaught from the winless Eagles.
Jota prodded the Reds into the lead from Cody Gakpo’s cross on nine minutes.
The Portuguese international was then guilty of missing two big chances to extend Liverpool’s advantage.
Palace failed to make them pay, but victory came at a cost for Slot as goalkeeper Alisson Becker limped off with a hamstring injury.
“If you score the second you break them mentally. All the fans kept believing in a result because it was only 1-0, even though in my opinion we were the dominant team,” Slot said after the game.
Liverpool face Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Manchester City in their next six Premier League games.
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