Edin Dzeko's late winner in a 2-1 victory at Fulham may prove crucial in Manchester City's bid to retain the Premier League title, even at this early stage of the season, coach Roberto Mancini said.
The Bosnian striker pounced on a poor clearance from John Arne Riise three minutes from time at Craven Cottage to hand City their first win in five matches, a result that left them four points behind leaders Chelsea.
Fulham had taken the lead through Mladen Petric's first-half penalty and it needed an equaliser from Sergio Aguero on the stroke of half-time to get visitors City back into the game.
Mancini praised his side for battling back from a goal down.
"We wouldn't have deserved to have drawn," said Mancini. "Against Fulham here is always difficult. This is always a tough game for us.
"The penalty was not a penalty - I don't know why [it was given] - and we didn't shoot on goal in the first 20 minutes. But the players played well and stayed calm.