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There has been much talk about the negative impact the enforced absence of Rodri will have on Manchester City's chances of success this season.
Arguably City's most important player, the loss of their midfield colossus to injury for the rest of the season has been a brutal blow to Pep Guardiola's four-in-a-row title winners.
But City would undoubtedly be in a more perilous position had they lost another of their most influential players in the summer, one who underlined his enduring value in this hard-fought win.
There were genuine fears among the City hierarchy that goalkeeper Ederson would leave in the summer, with clubs from the mega-rich Saudi Pro League lining up to lure him with lucrative deals.
Ederson's head may have been turned, but he ultimately stayed and showed why he remains such a valuable asset to City, with two vital saves in one-on-ones with Fulham's Adama Traore in either half.
City may have a more than capable understudy in Stefan Ortega, who stepped up and performed in key moments last season when Ederson was injured, but the Brazilian remains No.1 for a reason.
Asked if he was concerned about losing Ederson in the summer, City boss Pep Guardiola said: “Yeah, of course. He's an important figure within our team. But in the end, it didn't happen.
“He knew from day one I didn't want it, we didn't want it. But the truth, I'm going to tell the truth - the offer didn't come, the real offer.
“To make an offer for the keeper, for the team who won four Premier Leagues in a row, they have a value, you know? They have a price. Otherwise, he cannot leave. If the offer had come, maybe we would not be here. So this is the truth.
“We're lucky to have him. Hopefully, he's happy. I said many times, how many years are we together? Eight seasons with Eddie? The success we had without him, I cannot visualise. I cannot.
“Eddie is so strong. It can be an idea but after, when they change their mind, in one second, they say 'Okay, I'm here, I'm going to do my best'.
“Of course, Eddie is an important player, but I always had the feeling that Stefan is an exceptional player.
Pep has revealed how close Ederson was to leaving in the summer
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PA)
“Sometimes, Eddie has to have the feeling that he has to perform well, otherwise Stefan can play. This competition, this healthy competition they have, because they respect and they have an incredible relationship, makes our team better.
“I think Stefan is, for me, one of the best goalkeepers I've ever seen, one against one. But it's kind of hard to choose.”
Ederson, who joined City from Benfica for £35million in 2017, takes the pressure in his stride and said: “This is normal and we're used to this kind of pressure and criticism. I always say if a striker misses a chance, they have another opportunity to score.
“If a centre-back makes a mistake, he always has the goalkeeper there to help him. When a goalkeeper makes a mistake, there's no-one to help.
“It’s about having that mentality and not allowing it to get to you when you make a mistake. This is life and everyone makes mistakes.”
Fulham led through Andreas Pereira, before a double from Mateo Kovacic and a stunning strike from Jeremy Doku gave City enough breathing space, despite a late goal from Rodrigo Muniz.
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