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| David Silva slotting in City's first goal |
After an opening 20 minutes of constant passing through out the team in true City style, no major chance was created in a dull and bleak game. A well organised Fulham broke down the left hand side of City's defense with Damien Duff on the ball. After trying to find a gap through the present Gael Clichy, he eventually chipped a cross to the far post where it was met by an on running Steve Sidwell who managed to get in between Zabaleta and skipper Vincent Kompany only to narrowly head wide.
The first half continued in much the same vein with constant City pressure but with no conviction in the final third. After an attempted Fulham break, David Silva picked up the ball after a Vincent Kompany tackle. With some sublime skill by the Spaniard he laid the ball onto the on running Carlos Tevez who muscled his way past Brede Hangaland to fire a low cross across the Fulham penalty area before Edin Dzeko hit a shot high into the Fulham away end.
The second half kicked off with pretty much the same tone, City in control but ultimately doing nothing with it. The passing from the middle of the park and the defenders resulted in City's second goal. After a total of twenty three passes by City the ball was eventually played to Carlos Tevez who managed to back hell it into the path of the on-running David Silva who beautifully chipped the ball over the falling Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham net. City two, Silva two, Fulham nil. The man who had now scored just once all season had now doubled his season tally in one day.
Shortly after City's second goal some great work from Barry, Tevez, and Kompany eventually lead to Silva being put through on goal only for the little magician to scuff his shot narrowly wide of the Fulham goal. A first City hat-trick ever so close by the former Valencia man. City continuing to press for that third goal and definitely end the contest nearly game when a headed clearance from Vincent Kompany resulted in Carlos Tevez breaking into the Fulham half, the Argentinian then put the ball into the feet of strike partner Edin Dzeko whose eventual shot found the side netting of the Fulham goal.
Carlos Tevez was replaced by fellow compatriot Sergio Aguero with nine minutes remaining only for the him to show his brilliance and show people why he is rated as one of the most feared centre forwards in world football. Going into stoppage time City created one final chance after a run from City left back Gael Clichy which calculated almost seventy yards only for the eventual pass and almost certain goal to be fluffed by Dzeko who had done the hard work alone getting into the box.
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| Dimitar Berbatov's face sums up Fulham's frustration |
Player Ratings:
Joe Hart - 6
Not much to do by City's ever present keeper, with only two attempts from the lackluster Fulham side, he hardly broke sweat. It's fair to say that his hardest part of work was kicking the ball for a kick out.
Pablo Zabaleta - 7
Solid performance yet again from City's probable player of the season. Rarely caught out by the player whom he marks on a match day and still has the ability and leadership to go forward to create City attacks. A City legend in the making no doubt.
Vincent Kompany - 8.5
Led by example against Fulham. Only played due to the red card he received away to Arsenal was rescinded rightly but hard to see what this City side would do at times without the Belgians leadership and compose on the ball.
Matija Nastasic - 8.5
His ability to play as a footballing centre half is just incredible. 19 years old and already showing composure, skill, and technical ability that others would kill for. His defensive awareness and ability to read the game really do make him one of the worlds biggest defensive prospects, and showed it again on Saturday by being involved in City's second goal.
Gael Clichy - 8
A completely different player to the one that left Arsenal to join City. Pace to burn and a great awareness to not allow a man turn him inside when defending. Kept Fulham's Damien Duff very quiet for the game and showed his attacking threat with City's final attack of the game.
Javi Garcia - 7.5
Finally turning into the player City forked out £16million pounds for to replace Nigel De Jong. Great on the ball in recent weeks and expert tackles to break up Fulham's play at the weekend. Continued form like this will only bring joy to the hearts of many City fans.
Gareth Barry - 7.5
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| Gareth Barry winning the ball against Fulham's Steve Sidwell |
No doubt the most underrated player in the league. Another near perfect performance from the former Villa man. Yet another performance to only cement his status as one of the first players on Roberto Mancini's team sheet.
David Silva - 9
A near perfect performance from the jinking little wizard. Two goals from midfield and almost a hat trick in the final few minutes show why he is a starter for the Spanish national team also. In his best run of form since the start of last season. No doubt continued form will only push City closer to United.
James Milner - 8
City's Mr. reliable. 100% given everytime by the Englishman who is no doubt the fittest player in the league. A constant threat to Fulham and yet again shows why Samir Nasri shouldn't be the starting player down City's wings.
Carlos Tevez - 7.5
It's not often someone will bully 6 ft 5' Brede Hangeland but that's exactly what Carlos Tevez did this Saturday. Throughout the game he has the Norwegian pulled all over the pitch with his devilish runs from channel to channel. Also, an assist for the second goal with a delightful back heel to the on running David Silva.
Edin Dzeko - 6
If he converted half the chances he received, he would score enough to win the golden boot for three years running. Wasted a lot of City chances with his only bright spark being the shot which eventually led to City's first goal.
Hero of the Day: David Silva. Two goals and showing form to become a threat to any side, Fulham really unable to control him throughout the game
Villan of the Day: Steve Sidwell. Missed a sitter of a chance to level the game shortly after City's opener. Was unable to track Silva for the whole game resulting in Fulham being truly outclassed.
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