Manchester City – Fulham

1. <i>ESPNsoccernet</i> will bring you live minute-by-minute commentary of Manchester City's meeting with Fulham, which kicks off at 17.30 GMT.

2. <b>Manchester City:</b> Hart, Lescott, Richards, Savic, Kolarov, Barry, Silva, Johnson, Nasri, Aguero, Dzeko. Subs: Pantilimon, Clichy, Zabaleta, de Jong, Milner, Pizarro, Rekik.

3. <b>Fulham:</b> Schwarzer, Kelly, Hangeland, Senderos, Baird, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Duff, Dembele, Dempsey. Subs: Stockdale, J A Riise, Hughes, Gecov, Frei, Kasami, Ruiz.

4. So, how do you approach this one if you are Fulham? With City going down at Everton, is this a good time to take them on and test their confidence or sit and soak up pressure fearing a backlash?

5. Fulham have posted an attacking line up, and Clint Dempsey in the main man with 11 goals in his last 13 starts. What can we expect from Bryan Ruiz today I wonder. Lots of talent, but only shown it in patches so far.

6. As for City, they have lost three of their last six and need to get back to winning ways today. They are formidable at home though, with 11 wins out of 11 in the Premier League. Fulham don't travel well and City will fancy this, I'm sure.

7. If you missed any of today's action then catch up here with our <a href="/news/story/_/id/1017544/prem:-arsenal-demolish-blackburn,-wolves-beat-qpr" target="_blank">Premier League wrap</a>.

8. 1'

   <b>KICK OFF</b>

9. 2'

   A smattering of snow on the Eastlands pitch and an early chance for Dzeko as Aguero feeds him. Schwarzer saves the tame shot.

10. 3'

    Snow continues to pour down from the grey skies. It shouldn't put the game in danger though.

11. 4'

    Barry has a pop from distance but it is blocked.

12. 5'

    Then Barry gets down the left and crosses for Dzeko, who volleys over from a tightish angle.

13. 6'

    Some nice flicks find Ageuro in space but he can't fashion a cross for Dzeko. City firmly on top.

14. 7'

    Dempsey and Dembele the furthest forward for Fulham but they are redundant at the moment.

15. 8'

    Johnson battles with Baird but the defender does well to win a goal kick for his side.

16. 9'

    <b>MAN CITY PENALTY</b>

17. 9'

    I think Johnson has bought that one for City, he made sure he hooked his leg round Baird's and Aguero will take.

18. 10'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Aguero slots home!

19. 11'

    There was definite contact, and it was good skill from Johnson to get into the box, but he was already on his way down before he flicked out a boot and made sure he connected with Baird. I can see why it was given but I think it's harsh.

20. 12'

    The 15th Premier League goal of Sergio Aguero's debut season.

21. 13'

    <b>Opta stat</b>: Mike Dean has awarded the joint-most penalties of any Premier League official this season.

22. 14'

    Fulham's first attempt as he wins a looping ball, possibly with his arm, before firing wide from 25 yards.

23. 15'

    A poor pass from Nasri to Kolarov, who was overlapping inside the box, and he falls over the ball before winning a corner.

24. 16'

    Kolarov does better this time as he fires a shot into a crowded penalty area but Dzeko can't turn it goalwards. Three chances already for the Bosnian.

25. 18'

    Another good ball in from Kolarov but Dzeko can't get his head on it.

26. 19'

    Johnson goes to ground again as Baird gets close to him in the area, but Baird didn't try and make a tackle. Johnson should be booked for diving.

27. 20'

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the freezing conditions, there isn't much of an atmosphere inside the stadium.

28. 21'

    Good passing move from Fulham as they work it wide for Kelly and Simon Davies rises to meet the cross before getting a little nudge from Johnson. Fulham appeals but nothing doing.

29. 22'

    A better spell for Fulham this...

30. 23'

    And a good chance created as Dembele finds Davies and his shot from 18 yards is saved by Hart.

31. 24'

    City hit back with a neat move as Silva finds Aguero, he tees up Silva and the Spaniard hammers his shot wide of the post.

32. 25'

    Johnson fizzes in a low shot that flies past Schwarzer's post. The keeper had it covered.

33. 26'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0204/agueroceleb20120204_275x155.jpg"><br>Sergio Aguero celebrates his opener

34. 27'

    Another chance for Fulham as Duff cuts in from the right and curls a shot a yard wide of the far post.

35. 29'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Johnson makes it two!

36. 29'

    That's a Baird own goal, as Silva's flick fell to the back post, Johnson bashed it back across the face and the ball cannons in off the unlucky defender.

37. 30'

    Now City scream for a penalty as Etuhu slides in from behind on Silva. The Spaniard is livid but Mike Dean says no.

38. 31'

    That's a definite penalty - Etuhu has got the merest touch on the ball and taken down Silva in the process. If he hadn't already given a penalty, Mike Dean would certainly have awarded that.

39. 32'

    Fulham in danger of being overrun before half time is out here.

40. 33'

    Silky skill from Lescott as he evades two tackles and City are on cruise control.

41. 34'

    Nearly another own goal! Richards gets in down the right this time and his cross is poked towards goal by Senderos. Schwarzer spares his blushes.

42. 36'

    A great break from City as Dzeko finds Ageuro - his effort is parried by Schwarzer and Silva somehow misses the rebound. But it matters not, for he was offside.

43. 37'

    Another fine City break from Fulham's corner. Aguero runs a full 60 yards with it, finds Dzeko but Hangeland slides in to divert it over the bar.

44. 39'

    Fulham must not conede a third before half time or the game will be over. They've always got a chance at 2-0.

45. 40'

    Patient build up from City outside Fulham's area.

46. 41'

    Fulham have looked reasonably neat in possession, and have created a few good openings, but they are wide open down the flanks, especially the right.

47. 42'

    Aguero breaks for another Fulham corner - perhaps leave a few more men back Martin?! - but though he has two men crying out to be played in, he can't find the right pass.

48. 43'

    The pitch has played pretty well given the amount of snow that has fallen,

49. 44'

    A poor clearance is matched by a bad cross from Barry as the snow comes down even harder.

50. 45'

    <b>HALF TIME</b> That is that and Fulham are lucky to only be 2-0 down. An Aguero penalty and a Baird own goal put City firmly in the driving seat.

51. A reminder that if you missed any of this afternoon's action, you can read our <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1017544/prem:-arsenal-demolish-blackburn?cc=5739" target="_blank">Premier League</a> wrap here.

52. 46'

    We begin again. No changes for either side at the break.

53. 47'

    The snow is even worse in the second half. The weather makes it look like I've got a terrible television picture.

54. 48'

    Apparently Carlos Tevez is playing in Martin Palermo's testimonial in Argentina tonight. Nice life he's got at the minute. Bit of golf, bit of a kickabout...

55. 49'

    First effort of the half from Fulham as they work it to Murphy, but his shot is right at Schwarzer.

56. 50'

    Dome meaty tackles in that passage of play, as Barry slides in on Dembele and Richards closes down Murphy. Conditions not helping.

57. 51'

    James Milner is going to come on for City.

58. 52'

    Bit of a slack start ot the half from City - it is all Fulham for now.

59. 53'

    Until Etuhu gives the ball away and Aguero races into the area, Senderos sends him wide and then Etuhu gets back to tidy up.

60. 54'

    Duff wins a corner for Fulham as Balotelli watches on from the posh seats.

61. 55'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Samir Nasri trudges off and Milner comes on.

62. 56'

    There is a lot more snow settling on the pitch now and the lines on the field are becoming ever more faint. Think we might have a halt to proceedings for a bit of a tidy up in a second.

63. 57'

    Few issues with close control emerging as the snow fall takes its toll. The white stuff getting in players' eyes too.

64. 58'

    Here come the ground staff to make the penalty area lines more visible.

65. 59'

    The ground staff are getting plenty of cheers from the crowd as they clear snow off the tram lines.

66. 60'

    This is what the Arctic Premier League must look like on a regular basis.

67. 61'

    Things open up momentarily for Kelly as he cuts in from the right but his shot is saved, just about, by Hart.

68. 63'

    A very clumsy tackle from Barry on Dempsey, as he picked the ball up 30 yards from goal. Free kick in a good spot.

69. 64'

    A decent save from Hart as Baird drove the ball in low. Some Fulham fans are going topless in the away end. Lovely.

70. 65'

    Chances for City as Milner wins the ball and finds Silva, he flicks to Aguero but his shot is blocked by Senderos. Then the defender takes down Kolarov on the edge of the box.

71. 66'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Senderos is carded, when he gets to his feet.

72. 67'

    Kolarov takes it, and blasts the ball well over the bar. Cue more sweeping of lines from the ground staff.

73. 68'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Etuhu goes off and Ruiz comes on.

74. 70'

    Richards feeds Aguero, but his shot is blocked. Corner.

75. 71'

    The game is turning into a bit of a farce now, lots of errant touches but nearly a goal there for City as Silva turned in the box and Senderos blocked his effort.

76. 72'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Dzeko makes it three!

77. 72'

    A superb assist from Aguero as he drives into the channel, steps inside Senderos and draws Hangeland before squaring to Dzeko to finish from eight yards.

78. 73'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Senderos is replaced by Riise.

79. 74'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Handbags between Dembele and Kolarov after a coming together. Very silly and yellows all round.

80. 75'

    Aguero takes a tumble under an off the ball tackle and clutches his ankle. He's up again now though.

81. 77'

    Dempsey has a pop and its deflected behind for a corner.

82. 78'

    Off the post! A low corner is fizzed into the near post, it flicks off Savic and cannons off the far upright.

83. 80'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Aguero departs and De Jong replaces him.

84. 81'

    Great interception from Richards, as he pinches the ball from Murphy and drives forward but his eventual shot is weak.

85. 82'

    Joe Hart gets himself into a spot of bother in his area, then manages to get out of it, much to the delight of the crowd.

86. 83'

    The game is very much in the 'winding down' phase.

87. 84'

    Decent ball from Murphy as Duff makes a run down the channel, but Savic watches him every step of the way.

88. 85'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Baird gets a yellow card for hauling down Dzeko. His bad afternoon gets worse.

89. 86'

    A stray pass from Milner. I think the players have had enough of this game now. Fulham will be lucky to get back to London at this rate.

90. 87'

    Riise gets down the left and wins a corner.

91. 88'

    And now a chance for Riise, as he creeps into the box on the left. A decent shot, a good save from Hart.

92. 89'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Johnson comes off and on comes David Pizarro, the new man. He's got a minute to make an impact.

93. 90'

    Five minutes added, mostly because of the snow removers....

94. 91'

    Richards gets down the right and crosses for Dzeko in the middle, but Baird sticks out a leg and clears.

95. 92'

    Savic concedes a corner as he goes across to tackle Ruz.

96. 93'

    Dempsey nods Ruiz's corner wide of the target.

97. 94'

    A cheer for Pizarro's first touch, and an 'oooh' as he finds Kolarov with a lovely pass, the defender closes in on goal but can't squeeze a cross to Dzeko.

98. 95'

    <b>FULL TIME</b> Job done for City, who never looked like losing for a second. Goals from Aguero (pen), Baird (OG) and Dzeko seal matters and hand City a three point lead at the top from rivals Manchester United, who face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

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