Set piece City strike again! Despite a laboured performance, two headed goals from corners by Gareth Barry and Kolo Toure respectively, were enough to see off a well organised second-string Fulham side.
Following the high octane games against Arsenal and United, this was a gentler affair as was widely predicted. They’ll be no need for the FA to look again at any incidents in this match, although Zoltan Gera’s stunning strike to give Fulham the lead was perhaps worthy of a bigger fixture.
City will be grateful to come through without controversy. Toure’s first goal for the club came within an official 30 minutes of extra time, unlike a certain strike last Sunday.
Mark Hughes named the same side as against United, with the exception of Zabaleta who came in for Richards (sore shoulder allegedly). Whilst making wholesale changes to the first choice eleven is considered a gamble, playing the same team as at the weekend could also be considered a risk. Tired legs and a lack of focus could come into play, and that looked the case here.
Carlos Tevez was once again asked to fill what looked like a giant Adebayor shaped hole in our attack.
There was a distinct lack of zip in the first half, and tiredness seemed to set in before extra time. The introductions of Petrov and Weiss both perked the team up, and the case for these players having started along with Sylvinho remains valid. It’s worth noting that the only time Hughes did make changes was when Ireland and de Jong were injured.
City started the game with a decent amout of possession but the ball was spending to much time being knocked between the defenders. Fulham may have played a second choice team, but they had all the Hodgson hallmarks of discipline and organisation. City lacked a focal point up front and struggled to create any meaningful openings. A move down the right flank featuring some one touch passing with Tevez at the heart showed the way, but it wasn’t maintained.
After 37 minutes, Fulham broke forward and the ball came to Gera, fully thirty yards out. He struck it first time and the ball arrowed in past a despairing Given. It would be harsh to blame the defence for such a goal as there wasn’t time to close the Hungarian down.
City’s frustration continued to half-time and beyond. Tevez worked himself a couple of openings on the edge of the area but hadn’t brought his shooting boots, sending each shot trickling through to the keeper.
We kept plugging away amid murmurs of frustration, and eventually a Bellamy corner was missed by Stockdale in the Fulham goal. Barry had the relatively simple task of nodding the ball home.
City went on to enjoy their best spell, finally showing some of the team-play and movement required to keep the opposition pinned back. It was the kind of football we need to produce if we’re to properly dominate teams and force results. United gave us an example of it on Sunday, and Hughes and his coaching staff need to get City displaying it more often. We do have the players now.
This time we weren’t able to sustain it for long enough. Ireland went off looking dazed, and he’d had one of those nights where he seemed to lack a degree of awareness throughout. If he’s to play in the ‘number 10’ role behind Tevez, there needs to be a better understanding between the two of them. Lofting balls over the top for the Argentine isn’t going to work as he doesn’t have the pace to get away from defenders.
Petrov arrived to a cheer and Bellamy moved in to the centre to give Tevez some much needed support. The Bulgarian provided a series of crosses which either Adebayor or Santa Cruz might have gobbled up. When it became apparent that Bellamy and Tevez weren’t going to reach them, the game slipped back to it’s earlier level.
City looked tired and there were fears among the crowd as to whether we’d have the energy to survive extra time. The introduction of Weiss provided a helpful spark for the additional period. Wright-Phillips, who had been looking exhausted, appeared to get a second wind when moving in-field to replace de Jong. His ability on the ball kept him out of trouble on several occasions and we held our own.
A goal for either side was still looking elusive when another corner enabled Toure to pop up at the far post and nod in via the keeper.
City played out the remaining few minutes intelligently and we were all thankful for a lack of drama. One minute was indicated by the fourth official and one minute was played. It’s a lot simpler when it’s like that.
Mark Hughes:
“In the early part of last year we did not look a threat from set-plays. In games so far we look like a team that can now.
“We have told the players where we want the ball delivered and how they need to be a bit more dynamic in the box and make sure they get first contact.
“Fulham are very well organised and got plenty of people behind the ball. It was difficult to break them down. We had to be patient.
“We stuck at it and are in the hat for the next round which was the order of the day. We are pleased about that.”
Kolo Toure:
“My first job is to defend but if I manage to score and help my strikers, I will be very happy.
“Fulham played well, and scored an amazing goal, but we showed that this team has the guts to come back after going down.”
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Match highlights on Daily Motion
Mark Hughes post match interview
The last two visits of Fulham have been rather painful and tonight provides a perfect opportunity to redress that a little. Last season we looked exhausted from our Uefa Cup campaign and suffered a tired 1-3 defeat. The previous season was even worse.
Our last home match of the season had Thaksin in attendance hoping for a bit of adulation in an end of season party. City duly swept to a two goal lead, and were playing ole football. Fulham were staring relegation in the face, when somehow they managed to peg us back with their neat and tidy football. With Geovanni getting a rare run-out, it was suddenly end to end stuff, culminating in a Fulham winner.
Cue an exodus of City fans and a lacklustre lap of honour. Anyone remember the ill-judged raffle of a car in the centre circle? My abiding memory was Thaksin standing on the edge of the pitch afterwards, seemingly texting. Sven came out for the lap of honour, cast a sheepish glance in Thaksin’s direction, and set off timidly in a different direction. I’ve often wondered what our Bond villain chairman was tapping into his phone. “Bring me the head of Sven Goran Eriksson” sprung to mind.
Fulham never looked back after that day, while Sven was never seen at Eastlands again.
In some ways Roy Hodgson is an English version of Sven, having made his name across the continent by winning titles in a variety of countries, and having a crack at international management. Both like to set their teams up with an emphasis on maintaining shape and disciplined defending first, followed by neat, progressive football when the opportunity presents itself.
The highpoint of this in Sven’s City could be seen in our victory in the Munich derby, when we nullified United and picked them off with a couple of goals. While Hughes’ City may be better equipped to take us where we want to go, there are times when tactically the ex-England manager is missed. It’s hard to imagine a Sven team on a good day conceding the goals we did at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Anyway, back to tonight’s Carling Cup third round tie. Mark Hughes surprised everyone by fielding a full strength side against Crystal Palace in the last round. Whilst a strong line-up is expected tonight, there is more likelihood of changes from the team that played on Sunday.
Martin Petrov could come in on the left flank. Bellamy may be rested given his fragile knees, or Tevez may be given more time to recover his fitness. Quite possibly they will play a portion of the game each. Pablo Zabaleta would be a popular starter at right-back in place of Richards.
Hughes may also want to give some match time to Sylvinho, Weiss and Taylor. It would be good to see Sylvinho make his debut, and a further glimpse of Weiss’ skills should help lift the crowd.
The club have pegged prices for the game, which implies tickets may not have been going like hot cakes. It will be a shame if there isn’t a decent crowd as Hughes has stated the club are taking this competition seriously in our bid to win a trophy.
Mark Bowen and Joleon Lescott have both spoken about the need to get our defending back on track and I couldn’t agree more. While we did start the season with a series of clean sheets, it’s undeniable that fortune smiled on us in each of those games. Upcoming league games against West Ham and Villa will provide sterner tests, but this is an excellent opportunity to rebuild our confidence at the back.
Kolo Toure:
“When you come back three times like we did in the derby and score in the 90th minute you should not lose no matter how much time is added on. We showed a lack of experience and concentration and must not let it happen again.
“Lessons have to be learned because good players and good times don’t make the same mistake twice.
“The Carling Cup is very important to us and we are now 100 per cent focused on the tie … Winning a trophy of any description is a fantastic feeling and that is what we want to do.”
Roy Hodgson has said he’ll be fielding a similar side to the one that took on CSKA Sofia in the Europa League last week. Of the starting 11 in that match, only Pantsil started against against Wolves on Sunday. Hodgson knows where his priorities lie, and they aren’t the Carling Cup. We should win.
Possible line-up: Given, Sylvinho, Lescott, Toure, Zabaleta, de Jong, Barry, Ireland, Petrov, Bellamy, Wright-Phillips.
Prediction: 3-0 to City
City have been drawn against fellow Premier League side Fulham in the third round of the Carling Cup. The tie is due to take place in the week beginning 21 September. This lies between the Old Trafford derby on Sunday 18 September and the home game against West Ham on Monday 28 September.
Whilst not the easiest draw we could have hoped for, at least we are at home. Fulham are also competing in the group stages of the Europa League, so it’s quite possible that this fixture won’t be amongst Roy Hodgson’s uppermost priorities this season.
The cottagers don’t have the biggest squad so we could be facing weaker opposition than we might expect in a Premier League game. Mark Hughes, of course, named a full strength team for the Palace game and will be lexoected to continue in the same vein.
With this in mind, it looks like a reasonable draw and City will be confident of progressing in our quest for silverware and a trip to Wembley.
Given – If Ireland is Superman what does that make Shay? Once again superb in handling, positioning and shot stopping. 9
Richards – Given a tough test by Moses. Micah didn’t come through with flying colours. His additional height and strength is probably all that’s keeping Zabaleta on the bench at the moment. 5
Toure – His leadership qualities as captain are going to be essential in organising that defence. A decent showing on the night, but not at the same level as the performances against Blackburn and Wolves. 6
Lescott – Thrown in at the deep end by Hughes, but showed some quality moments. The defence was under a lot more pressure than one would have hoped. Good to see him making tackles and bringing the ball out from the back. 6
Bridge – In attack, slowly but surely there’s an understanding forming between Wayne and Robinho. In defence he’s still on his own, but continued to cope better than in the past. 6
Wright-Phillips – Our most effective attacking player on the night, scoring one and sending over the cross for the second. Some great runs, but still needs a more consistent end product. 8
Ireland – Once again the fulcrum of our attacking. His eagerness to burst into the opposition penalty area does leave the team exposed when possession is lost. 6
Barry – More timely interceptions, but not able to cover the ground quick enough when asked to hold the midfield on his own. 6
Tevez – Worked a good chance in the opening couple of minutes but fired over. His first goal eventually came and with a little more sharpness those shooting boots should start to find the net as well. 7
Adebayor – Failed to score, but provided some excellent link up play. The Togolese continues to look a class act. 7
Robinho – We saw plenty of endeavour from the Brazilian and great control in playing in Wright-Phillips for a shot against the bar. Unlucky with one offside in particular, when he was reprimanded for cheekily lobbing the keeper. 7
Subs:
Bellamy – The Welshman isn’t proving as effective from the bench as when he starts. His role seems a little unclear and isn’t getting the best out of him. 6
De Jong – Barely time for a touch, but he’s still a welcome sight. 6
Man of the match: Shay Given