Manchester City defeated by Fulham 3 - 1

Sunday's clash at the City of Manchester Stadium underway but it was Fulham who dominated during the opening exchanges of the game. Roy Hodgson's side created several clear-cut chances in the first ten minutes of play but were left to rue a host of missed opportunities when Stephen Ireland earned City the lead after 27 minutes.

The Whites created the first chance of the game after just two minutes of play. Clint Dempsey gained ground down the left flank before firing in an accurate pass from the flank to Zamora on the edge of the area. Zamora produced a deft step-over to set Johnson free on the 18-yard line but Dunne recovered to deflect Johnson's strike clear of goal.

Two minutes later a defensive error by Dunne allowed Zamora a clear strike on goal from 12 yards. City's captain failed to manage a ball into the area from Simon Davies and as the defender lost his footing Zamora capitalised and fired goalwards on the turn. Fortunately for the home side Shay Given was alert and reduced the angle to block the striker's effort.

Seconds later an Andy Johnson penalty appeal was turned down by Referee Mark Halsey after the striker tumbled under pressure from Dunne in the area. Moments later a cross from the left fell to Dempsey in the area but the US international lost his footing as he turned to strike.

Apart from one speculative long-range effort from Bojinov in the second minute of the game City failed to produce any opportunities during the first twenty-five minutes of the game. However against the run of play Stephen Ireland earned the home side the lead with a curling right-footed strike from 20 yards.

Ireland picked the ball up in midfield and as Fulham's defence retreated the midfielder went unchallenged for almost 30 yards before reaching the edge of the area and curling his effort past Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Bojinov almost doubled City's lead before the break after latching onto a stray ball out of defence by Fulham. After collecting the ball 25 yards from goal the striker turned and smashed a thunderous drive just wide of Schwarzer's post. City went into the break with a goal advantage but it didn't take long at the start of the second half for Fulham to bring the game level and earn themselves a deserved equaliser.

The goal came after 49 minutes of play thanks to an accomplished finish by Clint Dempsey. Bobby Zamora chased a long ball into the area and as the striker tussled with Dunne the ball broke free to Dempsey on the 18-yard-line. The midfielder made no mistake with his strike, calmly stroking the ball past Given into the corner of the net. It was a superb finish by the American who then produced his trademark celebration in front of Fulham's travelling army of supporters.

Following Dempsey's goal Roy Hodgson's side visibly grew in confidence as they attacked City in waves. Mark Hughes looked to reverse to trend by revising his attacking options, introducing Evans for Bojinov. The change failed to invigorate City and seconds before the hour mark Dickson Etuhu smashed in a glorious right-footed effort from the edge of the area to give Fulham the lead.

Mark Hughes made a double substitution on 64 minutes. Petrov was replaced by Robinho on the left flank and Kelvin Etuhu made way for Sturridge who led the line alongside Evans in a revised 4-4-2 formation.

Robinho was handed his first sight of goal two minutes after his introduction but the Brazilian's low right-footed shot on goal was smothered by Schwarzer at the far post.

Despite City's revised attacking line-up it was Fulham who threatened to extend their lead with some fine build up play and Hangeland missed a glorious chance to put the result beyond doubt fifteen minutes from time. A free-kick from the left flank was whipped into City's area and Hangeland headed over from eight yards out.

As the game entered the final ten minutes Clint Dempsey scored his second goal of the game to give Fulham a three-one lead. The goal came from a quick counter attack. Zamora raced free from the half-way line in posession and as he reached the 18-yard line he played in Dempsey, overlapping on the left hand side of the area, with a perfectly weighted through ball. Dempsey produced another clinical finish, low to Given's left, to put the result beyond doubt and earn Fulham all three points.

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