Fulham and Man City play out a thrilling draw at Craven Cottage
Starting Line Ups
First Half Action
4 mins
The Whites made their first attacking surge of the encounter when David Healy was played though on goal by a lofted Simon Davies pass. The Northern Ireland striker took a touch but was nudged out of his stride by Richard Dunne, who was in close attendance.
7 mins
Fulham continued to apply pressure as a neat back heel from Clint Dempsey almost let in the advancing Steven Davies, unfortunately Man City cleared their lines.
12 mins – Goal Fulham – Simon Davies - Fulham 1-0 Man City
The Whites took the lead just after the 10 minute mark with a wonderfully crafted counter-attacking goal. Hameur Bouazza started the move off when he robbed City winger Michael Johnson by the Fulham corner flag. Bouazza rolled his pass upfield to Dempsey who in turn fed Steven Davis. Bouazza, who by now was making good ground up the left flank on the overlap, raced on to Davis’ pass and crossed for Simon Davies to head past Schmeichel at the near post.
20 mins
Fulham were by now in full flow as they looked to double their lead during a five-minute spell of pressure which saw City penned back in their final third of the pitch.
22 mins
Simon Davies rounded off a flowing move with a shot from distance as he looked to catch City custodian Kasper Schmeichel off guard with a shot from wide on the right flank.
25 mins
Despite Fulham’s strong start to the match, City were by no means out of the running as they demonstrated when the ball was crossed over to Martin Petrov at the far post. The City attacker took a touch but fired his shot well over. Nonetheless, the chance was a warning of things to come from City.
30 mins
The lively Hameur Bouazza was, once again, involved in another promising Fulham attack as he linked up well with Dempsey and Healy on the left wing before continuing his run over to the right wing and eventually whipping in a cross.
33 mins
The Whites were doing a fine job of cutting off City’s passing options from the back, causing the visitors to try riskier avenues out of defence – often losing possession in the process.
36 mins – Goal Manchester City – Martin Petrov - Fulham 1-1 Man City
With Fulham looking to establish their hold on the match, they were caught out by a City counter attack. Martin Petrov was fed the ball wide on the left flank, he proceeded to run at Chris Baird before cutting inside and firing a shot though the legs of Hughes. Antti Niemi managed to get a hand to the ball but could not divert it around the post.
42 mins
The Whites were nearly caught out with another counter-attack when Steven Davis’ shot cannoned off Micah Richards’ face and set City away down the left hand side. At one point Fulham’s back line were outnumbered three to two but Paul Konchesky did well to hold up Petrov on the left wing, allowing Fulham to get back in numbers.
Second Half Action
45 mins – Fulham substitution – Simon Davies OFF, Diomansy Kamara ON
47 mins – Goal Fulham – Hameur Bouazza - Fulham 2-1 Man City
The Whites wasted little time in getting back into the lead with a spectacular free kick. Diomansy Kamara, on for Simon Davies who was withdrawn at half time due to a migraine, won a free kick on the edge of the area and Bouazza drilled a pile driver past Schmeichel, who had little chance. The strike brought back memories of Pierre Wome’s thunderbolt against West Brom a few seasons ago.
50 mins – Goal Manchester City – Mpenza - Fulham 2-2 Man City
The Whites were only able to hold on to their lead for a couple of minutes before the visitors stuck back through Emile Mpenza. The City striker started the move off winning a header and directed the ball down to Martin Petrov whose shot was palmed out by Niemi, but only as far as Mpenza on the follow up who slotted home from close range.
60 mins – Goal Manchester City – Martin Petrov - Fulham 2-3 Man City
City took the lead on the hour mark when Fulham failed to deal with a one-two between Elano and Petrov. The City player was able to evade the attentions of Chris Baird and receive the return pass before firing past Niemi at his near post.
66 mins – Fulham substitution – Hameur Bouazza OFF, David Healy OFF, Seol Ki-Hyeon ON, Danny Murphy ON
Lawrie Sanchez changed to a 4-3-3 formation in an attempt to get the Whites back into the game. Seol Ki-Hyeon came on to partner Kamara and Dempsey in attack whilst Danny Murphy took up position in the centre of midfield with Steven Davis to his left and Alexey Smertin to his right.
68 mins
Tempers frayed as Clint Dempsey and Micah Richards both entered the referee’s book following a head to head confrontation.
74 mins – Goal Fulham – Danny Murphy - Fulham 3-3 Man City
Sanchez’ substitution paid off as Danny Murphy sent Craven Cottage wild with a well taken equaliser. A long Antti Niemi clearance was headed back into the danger area by Seol Ki-Hyeon. The ball found its way to the rapidly advancing Murphy who placed a side footed effort past Schmeichel.
78 mins
With Craven Cottage rocking, the game slowed slightly from the frenetic pace of the previous 10 minutes. Nonetheless, the Fulham faithful were baying for a fourth Whites goal.
82 mins
Diomansy Kamara was almost set free down the middle but Richard Dunne was able to stretch out a leg and clear the danger before Kamara’s pace set him clear.
87mins
Seol Ki-Hyeon was unceremoniously brought to the ground following another mazy run. From the resulting set piece Schmeichel missed his punch and the ball ricocheted off Dempsey’s head and ran just wide.
90 mins
Another Fulham set piece caused panic in the City area as Schmeichel missed another punch. The ball was scooped back into the box by Murphy but the keeper had retreated back far enough to claim the catch.
94 mins
Fulham were made to sweat in the final seconds as Paul Konchesky gave away a free kick in a dangerous position. Thankfully for the Whites, the set piece was angled just over the far top corner. The final whistle sounded at the restart.
fulhamfc.com Man of the Match as chosen by Premier League’s Creating Chances 'Your Shot' winner, Rachel Dorrell
Hameur Bouazza
Bouazza set up Fulham's first goal of the match and scored the second with a thunderous free kick. Eager to get forward and tenacious is the tackle.
