Man City strike late to sink vibrant Fulham
Fulham 2 Manchester City 4
Late goals from substitutes Jesus Navas and James Milner saw Manchester City banish their away-day blues in a thriller at Craven Cottage.
City had established a 2-0 lead at half-time thanks to Yaya Toure’s inch-perfect free-kick and Vincent Kompany’s close-range finish.
But Fulham responded brilliantly in the second half and, after Kieran Richardson had pulled one back, they got the equaliser their enterprising play deserved when Kompany sliced a clearance into his own net.
However, City’s attacking quality shone through as Navas fired past Maarten Stekelenburg at his near post to restore City’s lead on 78 minutes, and Milner wrapped things up from Alvaro Negredo’s exquisite cross.
The result was harsh on Fulham, who at times produced some fantastic football and fought back strongly after being 2-0 down at the break.
In spite of Dimitar Berbatov’s absence, Fulham made the better start, with Adel Taarabt forcing the recalled City keeper Joe Hart into a fine save.
City went close when David Silva hit the bar and they went in front midway through the first half, Toure curling in a free-kick from just outside the box for his 11th goal of the season.
Hart made another save from the influential Taarabt but City looked threatening every time they came forward and doubled their lead just before the break.
Fulham failed to deal with a free-kick, Stekelenburg parried Martin Demichelis’s header but Kompany snapped up the rebound.
With boss Rene Meulensteen’s words still ringing in their ears, Fulham were out of the blocks quickly in the second half.
They pulled a goal back on 50 minutes as Taarabt streaked clear down the left-hand side and laid the ball on a plate for Richardson, who tucked home.
Fulham continued to unsettle City and with 20 minutes to play they got an equaliser, albeit in fortunate circumstances.
Sascha Riether’s cross took a bobble in front of Kompany and the ball struck the City skipper’s laces, sending it spinning up over Hart and in at the far post.
But Fulham were undone by two late goals, both created by glorious passes which split the Whites defence in two.
First, Silva threaded the ball forward for compatriot Navas to slam past Stekelenburg.
And another Spaniard provided the fourth, as Negredo bent a cross past Aaron Hughes, with Milner unmarked in the middle to pounce.
Fulham (4-5-1):Stekelenburg; Riether, Senderos (Amorebieta 36), Hughes, Riise; Dejagah (Kasami 65), Karagounis (Bent 81), Parker, Sidwell, Richardson; Taarabt.
Subs: Stockdale, Kacaniklic, Duff, Ruiz.
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