Stuart Pearce made one change from the side that started on Tuesday, but which saw the eleven that played much better in the second half of the 1-0 win begin the game. Antoine Sibierski was in for Georgios Samaras, while David James had shaken off some muscle stiffness to take his place between the posts as normal.
The Match
City were on the back foot to begin with, and Fulham spurned a great chance after only a minute when Rosenior shot from the edge of the area, but the home fans breathed again as his effort rolled across James and went just inches wide.
The Blues hit straight back and had a good opportunity a minute later. Riera received in the area but rather than shooting rolled the ball to Sibierski, but the Frenchman’s shot was tame and Niemi had no problems taking the ball.
Barton drew huge applause for a great crossfield pass to Riera, who crossed straight away towards Sibierski, but the ball was just in front of him and Fulham cleared.
On 10 minutes it was James’ turn to get an ovation, this time for a superb one handed save that deflected Elliot’s shot from range just over the bar.
The City keeper was called upon again eight minutes later when an Ian Pearce header from a free kick looped towards the top corner, but James was able to stretch and collect.
After a quiet spell, Fulham were forced into making a change when after a clash of heads Zat Knight was replaced by Philippe Christanval.
Seconds later the substitute was in the action when he looked to have caught Dunne in the penalty area, but referee Walton only flagged for a corner and not the spot kick that the fans were calling for.
Riera had seen a lot of the ball, and on 30 minutes a superb cross evaded the defence to find Sinclair sliding in at the far post, and his first-time shot was inches wide and into the side-netting.
McBride briefly threatened at the other end when he rose well between tow defenders to get his head to a cross, but he was slioghtly underneath it and the ball flew over. A minute later he managed to get a shot in from within the area but the ball was a foot wide of the net.
Rosenior had a speculative shot from more than 30 yards out deflected wide by Barton on 38 minutes, and from the corner Boa Morte’s header was not far away.
Sinclair made Niemi work with four minutes of the half to go, the Finn spilling the low, skimming effort but no Blue shirts were on hand and he picked up at the second attempt.
The impressive Fulham keeper was in action twice within a few seconds on 44 minutes, first of all when Sibierski’s shot from close range went straight at his legs. Then, moments later, Reyna tried from the edge of the area only to see Niemi catch the ball with ease.
Joey Barton was booked in stoppage time for a challenge on Malbranque.
City had a free kick on the edge of the box three minutes after the resumption, but Dunne’s blasted effort was charged down. Distin picked up the rebound, but his pass found a defender.
With 55 on the clock, a patient build up nearly brought reward. Barton linked with Sibierski, who rolled the ball towards Vassell, but sadly he was just stretching to poke the ball in and Niemi was right behind it to save.
The Blues were close again five minutes later when Riera fired a low ball in from the left. Vassell was just short, and as brave as ever he took a tumble into the net after colliding with Niemi and Bridge.
Sibierski drove one in from range just after the hour, and after Niemi spilled a corner was conceded. Richards charged in and his powerful header was just off target.
Both sides made changes on 67 minutes, Vassell coming off for Samaras while Fulham replaced Helguson with Collins John.
Then with 69 on the clock, the goal that City deserved finally came through Player of the Year Richard Dunne! A Barton free kick was headed across by Richards, and the Irishman met it on the half-volley to crash the ball into the root of the net.
Samaras’ fresh legs began to stretch the Fulham defence, and he was close to scoring when his shot from the left hand edge of the six yard box went just wide of the far post.
Sibierski was in the wars, and after a hefty challenge on him from Malbranque, for which the Fulham man was booked, the Frenchman was replaced by Willo Flood.
But the home fans’ joy short-lived, when Collins John rolled a Boa Morte cross home from close range with six minutes to go.
The Blues did not give up and went back on the attack. Samaras saw a header just clear the bar, but seconds later he and the crowd could not believe their eyes when his chip was headed behind by Rosenior just inches under his own bar after the Greek had lobbed Niemi.
But with stoppage time upon us, Fulham unbelievably took the lead through Steed Malbranque. Boa Morte found the French midfielder in the area, and his fierce shot flew past James’ left hand to send the small travelling support wild and the leave the home fans shaking their heads
There were three minutes of stoppage time but the equalizer would not come, and the visitors had their first away win of the season.
