Man City v Fulham Feb 2012

A fairly comfortable win against Fulham under difficult weather conditions enabled City to improve their goal difference and move three points ahead of United. The snow came down quite heavily at times and for the first time I can remember at the new stadium the game was stopped for the lines to be cleared. Often passes were held up by the ground conditions but the key to this City win was the early lead through a soft penalty after just 9 minutes. Fulham then had to come out and this left gaps which City were able to use. A second goal on the half hour came after a cross cum shot by Johnson was deflected past his own keeper by the unfortunate Baird who had already conceded the penalty. Fulham rarely troubled the City defence in which Lescott did really well and Savic had a better game. This left Richards and Kolarov to attack down the wings to great effect. Dzeko and Aguero linked up quite well and they were responsible for City's third goal. A great run by Aguero ending with a easy chance for Dzeko who gave the keeper no chance. We had our first look at new signing David Pizarro in the final minutes. He made one great cross field pass to Kolarov so we will have to wait a little longer for more from him. A good crowd considering the weather and that the game was being shown live on ESPN freeview

City had an attacking side including both Kolarov and Johnson from the start. Kompany was out injured

Aguero was soon giving the Fulham defence some problems

An early chance in the 2nd minute by Dzeko was saved by Schwarzer

Aguero is confronted by Senderos

Fulham manage to clear a City attack

On 9 minutes Johnson is brought down by Baird and after a second or so consideration referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty

Aguero took the penalty and really thumped the ball past the keeper to give City the lead

Dembele is well covered by Nasri and Savic

Simon Davies has a shot but Hart saves easily

Silva shoots just wide

A cross from Kolarov on the wing found Johnson......

....whose first time shot hits Baird and goes into the net to give City a two goal lead

two minutes later and it should have been another - Silva was brought down by Etuhu and it looked like a certain penalty but the referee said no

The snow started to come down more heavily and there were more empty places than usual in the posh seats area!

Johnson and Richards were making good runs down the right wing

One good run by Richards almost ended with a goal but the Fulham defence were able to clear

Richards blocks a shot

Savic fails to bother Schwarzer who makes an easy catch

Barry goes up with Etuhu

The snow came down even heavier and we wondered how the game would be effected

City made an early substitution Milner coming on for Nasri after 53 minutes

It must be several years since I have seen the markings been cleared during a game. Certainly a first for the Etihad Stadium

Silva and Aguero elude Etuhu

Barry makes a clumsy tackle

Senderos brings down Kolarov just outside the area

A few Fulham supporters try to emulate Newcastle fans by taking their shirts off

Senderos is injured himself in the tackle ...............

........but ends up with a yellow card

Kolarov recovers from the foul to take the free kick but shoots over

Richards and Davies admire the skill of the clearer!

A shot from Aguero fails to test the keeper

Dempsey heads clear a City attack

After 71 minutes Aguero started on a dribble.....

.....past several defenders before slipping the ball to Dzeko who shot past the keeper to make it three nil

Dzeko and Aguero exchange a high fives!

Is this what you call a head to head encounter!?!

The problem between Kolarov and Dembele ends with the City players getting a yellow card

Fulham hit the post to give the City defence a scare

Richards makes a break.......

..but his final effort just goes past the post

On 88 minutes Riise has a good chance but his shot is well saved by Hart who pushes the ball clear

With a minute to go on comes Pizarro for Johnson

City clear a late Fulham corner

In time added Pizarro swung across a great pass .....

..... whose run almost ends in another goal for City. Still three nil was nice enough and well earned in difficult conditions