city v fulham carling cup 9-09

A match to forget! A depressingly small crowd saw City move into the last 16 of the Carling Cup. The first half was very low key -almost a practice game at Carrington! City seemed to be suffering from the result of the derby game . We badly needed a Adebayor to hold the ball up up front and though Tevez worked hard he needs someone like Adebayor to play off. I hope Santa Cruz will soon be available. I think both SWP and Ireland need a rest. At least we are now scoring from corners. Up until this season it was very rare for us to score from a dead ball situation. The defence is looking better now and Lescott looks to be forming a good partnership with Toure. Craig Bellamy is on fire and his two goals against United were terrific. In this game he was a bit off target but he still was very dangerous and gave the well organized Fulham defence plenty to do. Though Fulham had a few reserves playing they were not a pushover and deserved better support. Even once or twice City supporters gave them a cheer!

City made one change - Zabaleta coming in for Richards. It was a strong side out for the Carling Cup

Less than 100 came to support Fulham. There must have been some sale on at Harrods!

Craig Bellamy was soon in action giving the Fulham defence plenty to think about.

A shot from Wright-Phillips goes wide

Kelly and Baird manage to hold off the challenge of Barry

Zabaleta heads clear a rare Fulham attack

All eyes on the ball as Fulham clear

Tevez shoots just wide

Seol Ki-Kyeon pleads innocence after he fouls Zabaleta

After 34 minutes Fulham took a shock lead when Gera hit a long shot first time past Given. It was their first effort of the game and completely against the run of play

City appealed for handball after this pass was blocked

Just before half time Stockdale saves from SWP

Tevez heads just wide

Stockdale punches clear from a Bellamy corner

A minute later and Bellamy forces another corner which he takes and this time Stockdale misses his punch leaving Barry to head home

So early in the second half City are level and there was a more positive attitude from the home players.

Star forward was Craig Bellamy who was City's chief dangerman

Zabaleta dashes down the right wing

As the clock ticked towards extra time Given had to make a good save from Ki-Kyeon

Given is glad to see this effort go wide

SWP has an effort blocked

Now we are into extra time and Zabaleta shoots wide

Bellamy on the attack yet again!

Stockdale saves from Tevez

A good move from City ends with Weiss shooting over

Riise just shoots wide of the far post

With penalties looming Petrov takes a corner

...... which Kolo Toure heads from close range into the back of the net

..............and City are able to celebrate a 2-1 win