Fulham 1 Manchester City 2: compare report

By John Ley at Craven Cottage 502PM GMT twenty-one March 2010

Hapyp days Carlos Tevez scored second for Manchester City in their 2-1 feat over Fulham Photo REUTERS

Fulham returned to the genuine universe at Craven Cottage when initial half goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez handed Manchester City a profitable Premier League victory.

Danny Murphy replied with a late chastisement but it was as well little, as well late for Fulham.

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They might have risen from the passed to kick Juventus 4-1 and reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, but Fulham found it tough opposite sharp Manchester City, who claimed a sixth unbroken League diversion but loss to put vigour on their rivals for fourth spot.

The win takes City in to fifth place, dual points at the back of Spurs with a diversion in hand.

Yet City, already but Wayne Bridge, were forced to shift their counterclaim prior to long prior to kick-off when Joleon Lescott suffered a injure leg tendon complaint in the warm-up.

Javier Garrido, due to proceed on the bench, was drafted in from the begin whilst Micah Richards was combined to the substitutes.

But, as on Thursday night, Fulham suffered an early shock when the visitors took the lead in the opening exchanges.

Against Juventus, Fulham conceded in the second minute; this time it took 7 minutes, with Santa Cruz, in for the dangling Emanuel Adebayor, opening the scoring.

Carlos Tevez fed Craig Bellamy and the Welshmans shot was diverted onto the right post. Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer fumbled as he attempted to transparent and Santa Cruz tapped home with ease for usually his fourth City goal.

A notation earlier, Fulham had been denied when Zoltan Geras bid was privileged dramatically off the line by City captain Kolo Toure.

There were signs of tired in Fulhams players following one of the majority conspicuous formula in the clubs history.

And even the throng seemed to be pang a hangover from the exploits of Thursday night, with a resigned ambience around Craven Cottage.

Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, done usually dual changes and both in counterclaim with Brede Hangeland transposed by Chris Smalling, whilst Danny Murphy returned from cessation and Chris Baird returned to defence, in place of Stephen Kelly.

And, in the 36th minute, City doubled their lead interjection to the luminosity of Tevez.

A pleasant move down the left side saw the Argentine thred the round by the legs of Murphy, feed Bellamy, pick up the lapse pass afterwards side step Smalling shortly to stick on Manchester United prior to finishing well for his 22nd idea of the season.

It was additionally Citys 600th Premier League idea in what was their 497th diversion in the competition.

Fulham transposed Bobby Zamora with Clint Dempsey, the man who scored the idea that kick Juventus, early in the second half. And mins after an additional striker, Zoltan Gera, was transposed by Stefano Okaka.

But still City pulpy and after Schwarzer saved well from Santa Cruz, Adam Johnson struck the outward of the left post.

Fulham responded in the 75th notation when, after Gareth Barry had rubbed Chris Bairds cross, Murphy converted the penalty.

Okaka consumed dual late opportunities, firstly with a shut off shot and afterwards with an bid he put far-reaching when he should have scored.

And in combined time City survived a second pemalty claim, when Bjorn Helge Riises cranky appeared to strike the palm of Vincent Kompany.