Team News: Corradi and Samaras come in for Dickov and Sinclair in the two changes to the starting eleven from the draw with Newcastle.
The Match
The first good chance of the game fell to City after seven minutes, Zat Knight heading Trabelsi’s teasing cross behind for a corner after getting between Samaras and Corradi. From the corner, Richard Dunne’s powerful header went just over the bar.
But we did not have to wait long for the first goal. In the 12th minute, Samaras flicked the ball over the stationary Fulham defence to Bernardo Corradi, who volleyed it home from inside the area. The Italian’s first goal for the club sparked wild celebrations in the corner, with the striker ‘knighting’ his team mates with the corner flag
Diop had Fulham’s first opportunity four minutes later, his back-header from a Jensen free kick looping goalwards but Weaver collected easily.
City went right back at the Cottagers, Samaras’ raking shot from outside the area just going wide of Niemi’s left hand post.
The Blues doubled the lead on 32 minutes, when Barton burst through the middle after Reyna had dispossessed Bocanegra. The midfielder ran to the box and then slid the ball to his right into the path of Bernardo Corradi, who put the ball high to Niemi’s left in the top corner of the net. Barton was the subject of the Italian’s ‘knighting’ celebration this time around.
Great skill from Vassell on 38 minutes brought huge applause, the striker going to ground but keeping the ball between his feet as he stood up and eventually earning a corner.
And just as everyone was winding down for half time, City increased their lead to 3-0! Distin hammered the ball downfield from a Fulham corner, it falling perfectly for Trabelsi. The Tunisian looked up and saw Joey Barton steaming towards the box, and after Trabelsi’s pass found him, the midfielder made no mistake as he slid the ball past Niemi to put City three goals up at the break.
Half time City 3-0 Fulham
The visitors brought on Helguson and John after the break for Bocanegra and McBride respectively.
The substitutions seemed to help Fulham, John twice netting when offside in the opening 10 minutes of the half.
Corradi nearly helped set up Barton on 58 with a flick on inside the box, but Boa Morte was back to intercept and concede a corner. Barton took the free kick himself, and the ball only just curled the wrong side of the left hand post.
A minute later Samaras spurned a great chance, when Richards looped the ball back from the right of the area towards the striker, who put his first time shot over the bar.
City’s impregnable defensive record at home this season fell on 62 minutes, Helguson’s header falling to Collins John, who lobbed Weaver to give the visitors some hope.
Despite the blow, City were back on the attack, Trabelsi having a shot from outside the area charged down after good work from Vassell on the left.
City had a great chance to make it four on 77 minutes, but Micah Richards elected to shoot after bursting into the right of the box, his effort from a tight angle finding the side netting. Corradi was in the middle, waiting to pounce for his hat trick.
The Italian striker did have a chance of his own on 85 minutes, but his shot from close range seemed to take a deflection and Niemi was able to save.
City had a great chance to make it four on 77 minutes, but Micah Richards elected to shoot after bursting into the right of the box, his effort from a tight angle finding the side netting. Corradi was in the middle, waiting to pounce for is hat trick.
The Italian striker did have a chance of his own on 85 minutes, but his shot from close range seemed to take a deflection and Niemi was able to save.
Fulham could not threaten to get another goal back, and the whistle blew with City still unbeaten at home this season.
