City
1 Fulham 2
April 29th 2006 att. 41,128
We
all knew what was going to happen today. Fulham had not won an away game all season.
So City being City it was a racing certainty that Fulham would win and they did,
courtesy of some pretty poor defensive organizing, bad tactics and questionable
substituting. This was the last of the Saturday home games and with only Arsenal
and Blackburn to play it looks as though we will be finishing in a lower position
than that of last season under Keegan!
The
City lineup was the same that had finished against Villa with Sibby being preferred
to Samaras upfront.
Spotted
Warren Clarke in the stand. Obviously he was there as Det. Subt. Andrew Dalziel
to spot the crimes that were going to happen late in the game
City
almost conceded a goal in the first minute when Richards failed to stop a cross
from Helguson and Rosenior's shot went just wide of the far post.
City
hit back and first Riera's shot was easily saved by Niemi and then a great cross
field ball by Barton found Riera whose dangerous cross was narrowly missed by
Sibierski
James
made a wonderful save after ten minutes from a strong shot by Elliott . One of
his best of the season.
Stuart
Pearce eggng his players on
Richards
practicing his dance routine
Sibierski
fails to connect.
Dunne
breaks through but loses control at the last minute and though some claimed for
a penalty the referee gave a corner
From
the corner Distin headed over and another chance had gone begging.
After
30 minutes another good long cross from Albert Riera saw Sinclair shooting from
a tight angle but his effort hit the side netting
Niemi
under pressure from Sibierski
Distin
takes evasive action from this effort by Elliott
Just
before half time Sibierski had a great chance by the Finnish keeper managed to
block the shot with his legs
In
time added on Vassell had a chance and then Barton got himself booked for a tackle
on Malbranque
Not
discovered what this as about at half time
Niemi
was soon in action in the second half catching under pressure
Ten
minutes into the second half Vassell took a pass from Sibby and should have scored
but Niemi saved once again
A
Riera shot ended with a collision between Vassell and the keeper but Fulham managed
to keep a clean sheet
A
Fulham defender deflects Sibierski shot and then Sibby heads over the bar at the
resultant corner
City
finally scored after 68 minutes. Riera was brought down and Barton's free kick
was headed back into the area by Richards and there was Richard Dunne.............
.....
to blast the ball home . City had deserved to go infront
Both
the home side and supporters celebrated the goal
Fulham
went onto the attack and James was forced to come well out to clear this corner
City
nearly increased their lead after 75 minutes. Samaras who had come on for Vassell
beat several defenders but his final shot just went wide of the post
Disaster
struck with just 5 minutes to go Some nice inter passing left Boa Norte to force
his way past Richards in the box and centre for Collins John to score past James
Two
minutes later City should have retaken the lead. Sinclair fed Samaras .......
.......
who chipped the keeper and with the ball flying towards an empty net back rushed
Rosenior to head the ball to safety. Unbelievable!
As
extra time started City had a corner which was cleared. Fulham broke away in numbers
and a disorganized City defence were nowhere as Steed Malbranque ,once a City
target, scored.
Distin
lies distraught as the Fulham players celebrate a win at the death and their first
away win of the season.
Team
James
7: Sommeil 5.5, Dunne 7.5, Richards 6.5, Distin 6: Sinclair 6, Barton 6, Reyna
6, Riera 7.5: Sibierski 6.5 (Flood 5), Vassell 6 (Samaras 6.5)
