The game had a lively start with the visitors missing some great oppurtunities. Zamora found himself in front of Man City goalie Given, only to be closed down, and have his shot rebounded over the bar. Another chance from Andy Johnson was turned away by Dunne, but it was the home side that opened the scoring. Stephen Ireland had the ball on the left side and struck it, right footed, and curled it into the Fulham goal. He wasn't really picked up and closed down by the Cottagers defence, and took a chance at 20 yards and found the net. 

    It took the half time break,  orange quarters, and a chat from the gaffer to get Fulham into gear. Clint Dempsey opened Fulham's account at 49 minutes and started a turn around in the Whites fortunes and attitude. Zamora chased down a long ball and got it away to Dempsey who calmly fired a level ball into the City net. Fulham's tail was up, and they sensed that positive play could get a result. Only 10 minutes later, it was Dickson Etuhu, whose brother was in the City squad, who found himself with the ball on the edge of the penalty area. He shot the ball like a laser into the top left of the Manchester net, and in doing so put Fulham in the lead.

     A few minutes later the £32 million superstar Robinho came on, much to the delight of the home fans, but for a player worth about the same as the whole Fulham squad, he didn't change their fortunes. He did get a shot on goal, but it was abley saved by the reliable Schwarzer.  Man City did seem to have large amounts of posession, but failed to capatalise. 

                                Clint Dempsey celebrates his second goal

After the 83rd minute Bobby Zamora laid off a sublime pass for Clint Dempsey to slot the ball between Given's legs to put the result beyond doubt at 3-1

As for the Three Stars.... well first mentions in dispatches for Schwarzer and Murphy but here they are:

*    Bobby Zamora. No goals again, but great linking play. Two assists for goals give him the star

**  Dickson Etuhu. Fabulous goal, but a hard working performance at both ends of the pitch

***  Clint Dempsey. He was on fire today. Two goals obviously, but a great all round attacking midfield performance

      Super Fulham Man of the Match - Clint Dempsey

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