Manchester City continued their fine form by beating Luton Town 5-1 in the Premier League – and former manager Brian Horton hailed Mateo Kovacic after the game.
City made light work of Luton at the Etihad, although the Hatters did make things difficult for City in the first-half.
City took the lead early doors when Erling Haaland‘s deflected strike found its way via a big deflection.
Kovacic then scored a peach, meeting Julian Alvarez‘s pass on the half-volley on the edge of the box.
Haaland converted a penalty and then Ross Barkley pulled one back, before goals from the brilliant Jeremy Doku and Josko Gvardiol put the game to bed.
Kovacic’s goal was the pick of the bunch, although Gvardiol’s goal was another stunner to cap off quite the week for him.
Kovacic is certainly improving for City, and he came in for pretty high praise from former City manager Brian Horton after Saturday’s big win…
Brian Horton hails Mateo Kovacic and loves his ‘formidable’ partnership with Rodri for Manchester City
Kovacic made his 38th appearance of the season across all competitions on Saturday – and it was one of his best since making his £30 million move from Chelsea last summer.
He made a fairly average start but in recent months, Kovacic has really started to find his feet in the team.
That ball-carrying ability of his makes him a lovely option, and he also has the potential to help City have control of games. Especially when he plays alongside Rodri.
That is something that Horton – who managed City from 1993 to 1995 – loves to see, as he hailed Kovacic after the 5-1 win over Luton Town.
He said on City’s Matchday Live Extra show: “Great goal. It lifts everyone, the players and the crowd. I like him, me. When he plays with Rodri, they are a formidable pair in the centre of midfield. He’s a very, very good footballer.”
Kovacic and Rodri are a top pair
Rodri did not feature against Luton, getting his wish for a rest ahead of next week’s game with Real Madrid.
But Horton’s verdict on him and Kovacic will be one that many City fans share.
They have looked stronger and stronger together as the season has gone on, and Kovacic most definitely looks at home in this team now.
He is surely set to play a big part for City in these coming weeks, and it would be no surprise if he featured in some very big games, such is Pep’s obsession with controlling games.