Manchester City moved up to second in the Premier League table this afternoon courtesy of a 4-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Yaya Toure gave the visitors the lead midway through the first half with a stunning free kick before Vincent Kompany added a second just before half time.
Fulham launched a comeback at the start of the second period, getting a goal back through Kieran Richardson five minutes after the break before Kompany scored a calamitous own goal to level things up with 20 minutes remaining.
However, it was City who would come away with the points courtesy of goals from Jesus Navas and James Milner in the final 15 minutes, leaving Fulham still struggling in the relegation zone.
You can read how an entertaining 90 minutes unfolded with Sports Mole's live play-by-play coverage below.
Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League encounter between Fulham and Manchester City. Both sides are in need of three points for very different reasons as they fight it out at opposite ends of the table, so we're all set for an intriguing match in West London.
We'll start by look at our hosts this afternoon, and things aren't looking too rosy for Fulham at the moment. They are down in 19th place in the Premier League table, and Rene Meulensteen's arrival following the departure of Martin Jol has not had the desired impact on results so far.
A 2-0 win over Aston Villa a couple of weeks ago raised optimism around the club, but that was quickly shut down by their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Everton last week. Fulham didn't actually too badly against the Toffees and a 4-1 defeat was very harsh on Rene Meulensteen's side, but to concede that many goals when playing well must be a great concern to the new boss.
The Cottagers are just one point from safety, however, so any surprise result this afternoon could see them move out of the bottom three and potentially as high as 16th, depending on results elsewhere. They are certainly up against it today though, and number one of their list of priorities will be to sort out the defensive record. No team in the top flight has conceded more goals this season than Fulham, with only Sunderland matching the 30-goal tally.
They have scored exactly half that amount, which gives them the league's second-worst goal difference - a potentially crucial factor in a relegation dogfight. However, compared to the teams around them, their attacking record is not too bad. Only West Brom have scored more goals than Fulham in the bottom nine of the table, with the Cottagers finding the net 15 times.
Their form going into this match is woeful, however. They have lost eight of their last nine matches in all competitions and seven of their last eight in the Premier League. That win over Villa is the only light relief from such a dreadful run of results, meaning that they have picked up just three points from the last 24 available.
They come into this match in woeful form, however, having lost eight of their last nine matches in all competitions and seven of their last eight in the Premier League. That win over Aston Villa is their sole success in that time, meaning that they have picked up just three points from a possible 24.
Their home form isn't much better either. Fulham have won just twice at Craven Cottage in the league this season, drawing another and losing five times to take their grand points haul for the season to seven in front of their own fans. That is just over half of their 13 points overall for the entire campaign, which is not good considering the struggling teams usually rely mainly on their home form to get them out of such predicaments.
Fulham haven't scored more than two goals in a home game since the beginning of April, when they beat Queens Park Rangers 3-2. QPR would, of course, go on to get relegated that season. The Cottagers have also conceded at least two goals in seven of their last eight Premier League matches, which isn't a good record to have going into a match against the team with the firepower that Man City have.
The hosts' most likely route to get a goal this afternoon will surely be from set pieces. They aren't a side renowned for being big threats from set plays, but this season they have scored 53% of their goals from such situations, which is the highest number in the league.
Even if Fulham do manage to breach the City defence via that route, the visitors will be confident of being able to score more than their opponents. Such confidence is not misplaced, with Man City having found the net an incredible 47 times in the Premier League already this season. Unsurprisingly, that is the highest tally in the league.
At the other end of the pitch, Man City have had a few problems keeping the goals out. However, despite a number of factors that will have surely unsettled their defence - such as the change of goalkeeper and injury to Vincent Kompany - City's defensive record is not actually that bad. Only three teams (Arsenal, Everton, Southampton) have conceded fewer goals than Man City's 18 so far this season.
They come into this match in ominously good form having gone eight matches unbeaten, winning seven of them. In all of those victories, City never failed to score fewer than three goals, which is an incredible record when you look at some of the teams they have beaten. Amongst them are the two North London clubs, who were both hit for six by Manuel Pellegrini's attacking juggernaut, while Bayern Munich also succumbed to City's strength up front.
Whilst scoring so many goals, however, they have struggled to keep them out at the other end. They have not kept a clean sheet in their last five matches in all competitions, which is something that Pellegrini will be desperate to sort out.
If there is a glimmer of hope for Fulham this afternoon, it can be found in City's away record this season. Pellegrini's side have only won twice on their travels in the Premier League, losing four and drawing the remaining two. Their goal-scoring average away from the Etihad is just 1.5 goals per game, which is miniscule in comparison to the 4.37 they average per game at home.
Overall, if only away matches counted in the league this season, City would be down in 11th place. As it is, they sit in fourth and could move level on points with Arsenal, who started the day top of the table. Liverpool look like they will beat Cardiff in the day's early kickoff as they currently lead 3-1, so the Reds will go top if things stay like that. A plus for City is that their away form has started to show signs of improvement, with the club unbeaten in their last four matches on their travels in all competitions.
TEAM NEWS: Right, the team news is in for both sides, and the headlines come from the Manchester City camp. Joe Hart retains his place in the side from the midweek win over Leicester, giving him an increasingly rare outing in the Premier League after Pantilimon conceded three against Arsenal last week. Dzeko also slots in up front for the injured Aguero, while Clichy plays in the unfamiliar role of right-back after Zabaleta limped out of that win over Leicester. Fulham, meanwhile, don't have Bent of Berbatov up front, with Taarabt acting as the lone striker. Full team news for both sides coming up.
FULHAM STARTING XI: Stekelenburg; Riether, Senderos, Hughes, Riise; Dejagah, Karagounis, Parker, Sidwell, Richardson; Taarabt
FULHAM SUBS: Ruiz, Kacaniklic, Stockdale, Duff, Amorebieta, Bent
MAN CITY STARTING XI: Hart; Clichy, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Nasri, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Silva; Dzeko, Negredo
MAN CITY SUBS: Pantilimon, Boyata, Garcia, Rodwell, Milner, Navas, Guidetti
So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, it is a surprise to see Meulensteen up for just Taarabt up front on his own, although, with Fulham expected to be on the back foot for the majority of the match, having someone who could naturally slip into midfield to get another body behind the ball could prove useful.
Darren Bent may feel aggrieved at being left on the bench even with the absence of Berbatov, and he would have a right to as well. He has scored seven Premier League goals against Man City, a tally only bettered by his record against Bolton, who he scored 11 goals against.
There are no surprises elsewhere in the side, with Meulensteen choosing to stick with the solid midfield of Karagounis, Parker and Sidwell in the middle. They are all pretty consistent performers, and consistency could well be the key for Fulham to get themselves out of the relegation zone. They will certainly be up against it today as they face a powerful City midfield, but they are all experienced campaigners who will relish the challenge.
As for City, the place to start is in goal. Joe Hart has been forced to watch on from the sidelines for the last few months after a series of high-profile errors led to him being dropped in favour of Pantilimon. He has finally got his chance to shine in the Premier League again, however, and he will be desperate to get through today's match unscathed. His inclusion is great news for his club career, of course, but also for his international career.
In front of him, City's defence has been further unsettled by the injury to Zabaleta on Tuesday. With Richards also out, Pellegrini has opted for Gael Clichy in the unfamiliar role of right-back which could be an avenue that Fulham try to exploit today. Kompany will look to help him get through any problems, however, and Clichy couldn't wish for a better player to be alongside him in that respect.
City's midfield has been almost as impressive as their strikeforce so far this season, with Yaya Toure in particular getting back to his best. Nasri has been in top form as well, while Fernandinho showed that he has an eye for goal with a brace in the 6-3 win over Arsenal last weekend. David Silva scored both goals in a 2-0 win for City last time these two teams met, so he will be looking to continue his own good form against the Cottagers today.
City may be missing Aguero up front, but they can still field a menacing attack with Negredo and Dzeko leading the line. Negredo, aptly nicknamed 'The Beast' has settled into Premier League life very quickly and has been one of the most impressive summer signings in the whole league this season. Dzeko, meanwhile, has had to be patient once again throughout this campaign but, after two goals against Leicester on Tuesday, he will get another chance to show what he can do today. He has scored 49 goals for City, with 31 of them coming away from home.
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Craven Cottage, which means that it is time for my match prediction! I just can't see anything other than a City win this afternoon. The only chink in their armour for much of this season has been their away form, but they seem to be sorting that out now and, against a Fulham side leaking goals, I can see the visitors taking advantage today. I'll go for 3-0 to Man City.
It is worth noting that Man City are unbeaten in their last nine matches against Fulham, winning six of them. They have been victorious in the last three meetings, with the corresponding fixture last season ending 2-1 to City as Dzeko scored a late winner.
Fulham haven't beaten City in any of their last seven meetings at Craven Cottage, drawing three and losing four. Today's hosts have also not kept a clean sheet against City in their last 18 meetings, a run that extends to just one in their last 22. A clean sheet this afternoon is highly unlikely, so my guess is that record will continue today.
Fulham have lost all nine of their matches against top-half opposition this season, but they can take some comfort in the knowledge that City's record against teams from the bottom half is surprisingly poor. They have won just half of those eight matches, drawing one and losing three.
There is plenty more live football for you to follow this afternoon on Sports Mole. You can check out what we have to offer by clicking here, while I will also be keeping you up to date with major events from the five other Premier League matches as and when they happen.
KICKOFF: Man City get us underway at Craven Cottage as they look to continue their good form and keep the pressure on new league leaders Liverpool. Can they get yet another win or will Fulham pull off a major shock?
Fulham have started exactly how they needed to here, not allowing City to settle in the opening couple of minutes. They have closed down quickly, with Sidwell nicking the ball off Fernandinho to almost set up a counter attack, only for City to recover quickly.
Fulham have started exactly like they need to here, putting pressure on City early on and preventing them from settling into this match in the opening few minutes.
It is a cold and windy day in West London today, which will make any high balls into the box a lot more difficult to deal with. Winter is most certainly here.
An early Fulham corner causes City problems inside the box as they struggled to hack it clear. It eventually falls to Richardson, but his shot from the edge of the box is inadvertently blocked by Riise.
Fulham have been the better team in this opening nine minutes. City just haven't got going at the moment and don't look like threatening the hosts' goal at all. The vast majority of the action is taking place in the Man City half at the moment.
Better from City as they just keep hold of the ball for a while and look to ease themselves into the match after a shaky start. Fulham are still pressing really well, but City show their quality in possession by keeping hold of the ball in tricky circumstances on a couple of occasions.
SAVE! Almost a terrible error from Clichy as he fails to deal with a diagonal ball. Richardson immediately pounces onto the mistake and plays it back to Taarabt, who works space to shoot before drawing a fine stop from Hart. That is a big moment for Hart and a decent chance for Fulham.
OFF THE BAR! City respond at the other end with their first real attack of the afternoon, and it almost yields a goal. Dzeko did really well to get on the end of a long ball forward before cutting back and giving it to Silva. The Spaniard swept a powerful first-time striker towards goal, but it cannoned back off the crossbar with Stekelenburg beaten.
The match has suddenly come to life in the last few minutes. Fulham were given a warning shot from City there, though. The hosts have made a very good start to this match but they were reminded how quickly City can break and how lethal they can be if given the chance. They need a goal from this spell in the ascendancy.
Riether drills a fine low ball right across the face of goal, but Richardson is the only man in the box and he is a little slow to react. That was the type of cross that the defence could do nothing about, it just needed a white shirt to gamble at the back post.
Meulensteen will be delighted with the start his side have made to this match. Their results since he became boss have not been anything to shout about, but there has certainly been an improvement in the team's performances, and that is continuing today.
Taarabt goes for goal from a long way out, but the windy conditions and curl he puts on the ball make it more difficult than it looks for Hart. As it happens, the England number one holds onto it quite comfortably, but these conditions are the type that can result in errors, which is exactly what he doesn't need.
Man City are awarded a free kick in a very good position on the edge of the area for a foul on Silva. Kolarov scored a superb free kick against Leicester on Tuesday, and he is looking interested again here. Yaya Toure has also scored a few free kicks this year...
GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Manchester City (Yaya Toure)
He's done it again! Yaya Toure steps up to the ball and curls it perfectly into the top corner. What a goal that is, Stekelenburg had absolutely no chance. It went in off the underside of the bar, and he could not have placed it better. Superb from the in-form midfielder.
That is harsh on Fulham for a couple of reasons. The hosts have been the better team so far today and the free kick was quite a soft one. Meulensteen will not be happy with it, that's for sure.
Dejagah gets down the right flank and flashes a good cross into the middle from the byline. Richardson has attacked the front post and gets the faintest of touches on the ball, but it isn't enough as it flies across the area and out of harm's way.
UPDATE: Newcastle have taken the lead against Crystal Palace through Yohan Cabaye, which is very good news for Fulham. Manchester United are also now ahead against West Ham thanks to Danny Welbeck, while Jake Livermore has just put Hull in front against West Brom.
Taarabt again goes for goal from range, but just like his last effort it is straight at Joe Hart, who holds on to it comfortably. Taarabt has bags and bags of quality, but his decision making is just lacking at times.
Riether flashes the ball into the area and it reaches Dejagah, who goes for a first-time effort from the edge of the box, but he doesn't get hold of the shot and the danger is cleared. City move up the other end and Dzeko tries to place a shot into the bottom corner but his effort is blocked.
SAVE! Hart is called into action again, and once more it is Taarabt who has the shot. This one is better than his previous two efforts as he cuts inside Clichy before drilling a low strike towards the bottom corner that Hart gets down well to tip wide.
Good defending from Hughes as he slides in to make a crucial interception in his own area. He conceded a corner, but the alternative was a simple tap-in for Negredo. Very important block.
It looks like Fulham are going to be forced into an early change here. Senderos is the man supposedly struggling, although I'm not sure quite what is wrong with him.
CHANCE! Big chance for City to double their lead as Dzeko is teed up inside the box. He tries to side-foot it into the corner once again, but Stekelenburg gets down really well to make a smart stop. Dzeko should have done better there.
CHANCE! Another chance for Dzeko as he times his run perfectly to get on the end of Nasri's lovely chipped through ball. Dzeko can only get a header on it, however, so his effort lacks the power required to really test Stekelenburg, who makes a comfortable save.
FULHAM SUB: There is the Fulham change I was talking about a couple of minutes ago. Senderos makes way to be replaced by Fernando Amorebieta, who is returning from three weeks out with a hamstring injury.
Crucial block from Kompany as Toure is caught in possession by come good Fulham pressing. Taarabt immediately bears down on the City defence before letting fly from the edge of the box, but the City skipper blocks the effort out for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Amorebieta is amongst the mass of bodies swinging wildly at the ball in a goalmouth scramble. Eventually City manage to hack it away, but those were uncomfortable moments for the visitors.
UPDATE: Manchester United have doubled their lead against West Ham, with Adnan Januzaj getting the second goal to make it 2-0. Newcastle also now lead 2-0 against Crystal Palace thanks to a Damien Delaney own goal.
GOAL! Fulham 0-2 Manchester City (Vincent Kompany)
City have doubled their lead, and it is their captain who has got the goal! It is poor marking from Fulham as they don't track Demichelis from a free kick, allowing the centre-back to peel off at the back post and force a save from Stekelenburg with his head. The ball bounces back out to Kompany, who pokes it in from close range.
There will be just the one additional minute at the end of this half.
YELLOW CARD! Demichelis becomes the first man in the book for a late tackle on Taarabt, who went down rather theatrically after a nice piece of skill.
HALF TIME: Fulham 0-2 Manchester City
Kevin Friend brings an end to the first half, and it is one that Fulham will look back on with mixed emotions. It has been similar to their last match against Everton in many ways, with Rene Meulensteen's side playing some good football and going toe-to-toe with one of the Premier League's big boys, but still coming out on the losing side. Good performances are always a plus, but results are the main priority.
City's goals have both come from set pieces, with Yaya Toure opening the scoring with a superb free kick from just outside the box. Stekelenburg was rooted to the spot and could do nothing about the strike, which was perfectly placed in the top corner. The second goal came when Kompany poked in a rebound after Demichelis's header from a free kick was saved by the Fulham keeper.
That second goal, which came just before half time, was really a killer blow for Fulham. The hosts were very much in the match at 1-0 down, but it will take a huge effort from them to overturn a two-goal deficit now. Rene Meulensteen's side have threatened a few times and Joe Hart has been forced into a couple of good saves, but they will have to commit even more men forward if they are to get anything out of this match.
Fulham's current plight is one that will be confusing their new manager. They are playing well and matching the likes of Man City and Everton in their games, but they just can't find a way to win, or even draw. It is a problem that they will need to solve sooner rather than later.
As for City, they haven't been at their best this afternoon but are sitting on a nice two-goal cushion at the break. You feel like the next goal will be crucial in this match. If City get it, it will surely be game over, but if Fulham manage to score next then they will fancy their chances of pulling off an unlikely comeback.
City's away form has been such that results without an accompanying good performance will be gleefully accepted by Manuel Pellegrini. If everything stays like this, it will be five games unbeaten on their travels for City, and the claims that they struggle away from home can start to be put to bed.
Fulham are out early for the second half as they look to add a clinical touch to their promising play from that first half. City have simply been more deadly in front of goal than the hosts today, and that is pretty much all that separates the two sides. In general play, it has been an even game.
KICKOFF: The hosts get us back underway in West London. Can they pull off an unlikely comeback or will City push on to move one point behind league leaders Liverpool?
CHANCE! Good chance for City early in the half as Silva gives it out to Kolarov on the left before racing into the middle for the return ball. He is at full stretch to turn it goalwards, but Stekelenburg gets across well to make the save.
City have made a very bright start to this second half, which is not a good sign for Fulham. Kompany is among those pouring forward for the hosts in their latest attacks, but he chooses to dummy the ball on the edge of the box and the pass is intercepted and cleared.
GOAL! Fulham 1-2 Manchester City (Kieran Richardson)
Fulham are back in this match! Sidwell wins the ball on the edge of his own box and releases Taarabt to lead the counter-attack. The acting striker beats Clichy down the right and cuts inside before playing the ball across to Richardson in the box, and he has a simple finish to make it 2-1. Excellent from Taarabt, and suddenly we have a game on our hands!
Ironically, that goal came when Fulham were on the back foot having been matching City for most the first half. Scoring then is probably the only time in the entire match when you could have said it was against the run of play, but football has a way of coming up with things like that.
Dzeko lays the ball off to Negredo in the box, but the big striker completely misses it with his attempted effort. Luckily for Negredo, his blushes are somewhat spared by the offside flag, which has been raised against Dzeko.
That goal has really raised the spirits of the hosts and they are looking capable of getting another right now. City are struggling to deal with them at the moment.
CHANCE! Big chance for the hosts to level things up here! There are four or five white shirts in the area as a fine cross comes into the danger zone, and it is Sidwell who throws himself at the ball. He is stretching and can only head it wide, while Taarabt was lurking just behind him and would have had an easier chance. That is a warning shot for City.
MAN CITY SUB: Pellegrini makes his first change of the day in an attempt to stem the tide here. Off goes Dzeko and on comes Jesus Navas, which will presumably result in a change of formation too.
CHANCE! Good break from City as Negredo is slipped in inside the box. His effort is well blocked but the rebound falls to Navas, who firmly plants his effort a yard wide of the post when he should have at least hit the target.
YELLOW CARD! Karagounis has been booked for the hosts, but I'm not sure what for. Still, he is the second man in the referee's notebook this afternoon.
UPDATE: Charlie Adam has given Stoke the lead against Aston Villa. It is now 1-0 to Mark Hughes's side at the Britannia Stadium.
FULHAM SUB: The hosts make their second change of the day as Dejagah makes way for Pajtim Kasami who, of course, scored that wonder goal against Crystal Palace earlier this season.
There is a really good urgency about Fulham at the moment as they look for an equaliser to complete what would be a very impressive comeback. Even if results aren't going their way at the moment, there are positives to be found in their performances.
Good sight of goal for the hosts as a couple of one-touch passes set up Kasami for a chance. He gets in front of Demichelis but Riise's pass is just behind him and his first touch is heavy enough to take it through for a goal kick.
GOAL! Fulham 2-2 Manchester City (Vincent Kompany og)
Oh my word, what a freak own goal that is from Kompany, who has now scored for both sides today! Reither's loss cross into the box from the right isn't too threatening, but as Kompany looks to clear it he slices it over the top of Joe Hart and into the far corner of the net. That is an absolute shocker from the Belgian.
It may have come via a lucky own goal, but Fulham have been good value for this scoreline at the moment. Things are looking increasingly promising for the hosts now, and I wouldn't bet against them going on to win this game.
UPDATE: Villa had equalised against Stoke, but the Potters are now back in front courtesy of a Peter Crouch strike. Elsewhere, Ashley Young has extended Manchester United's lead to 3-0 over West Ham.
MAN CITY SUB: Pellegrini opts to make a change, and it is quite an interesting one as James Milner comes on for Nasri. Milner is generally a more defensive player than Nasri, but he has had a big impact in the final third in recent weeks.
City have responded to that equalising goal very well, and suddenly they are on top and it is Fulham who can't get out of their own half. We are set up for a barnstorming finale to this game, which has already been a thoroughly entertaining spectacle.
GOAL! Fulham 2-3 Manchester City (Jesus Navas)
City are back in front! Silva slides the ball through to Navas, who won't be caught on the right with his pace. He takes a touch before driving a low shot through the legs of Stekelenburg, who really should have done better. Fulham have to do it all over again now!
Could it be time for Darren Bent soon? Meulensteen may as well go for this one now as they have nothing to lose and certainly deserve a point. Bent is the type of player who can get a goal out of nothing. He only needs one chance.
Important interception from Joe Hart as he punches a cross clear with Riise lurking just behind him ready to nod the ball in.
FULHAM SUB: Darren Bent is indeed coming on, and he replaces Karagounis, which is a very attacking change for the hosts. Can he grab a late equaliser for his side?
GOAL! Fulham 2-4 Manchester City (James Milner)
Milner surely secures all three points for his side, but a lot of the credit has to go Negredo. The striker delivered a stunning pass with the outside of his left foot, bending the ball around Hughes, who probably should have intercepted it, and to Milner. The sub was free at the back post and had a relatively simple finish to give the visitors their two-goal lead back.
MAN CITY SUB: City respond to the goal with a change as David Silva makes way to be replaced by Javi Garcia.
UPDATE: West Brom have just got a late equaliser against Hull, which is a big goal for the struggling Baggies. Newcastle are now 3-0 up against Palace while West Ham have got a goal back at Old Trafford but still trail Man United 3-1.
SAVE! A good move from City eventually draws a solid stop from Stekelenburg as the visitors look to extend their lead even further. It was Negredo got the final shot it, curling it into the arms of the Fulham keeper from the edge of the box.
CHANCE! Lovely little one-two between Milner and Toure to release the sub inside the box. He could go for goal himself but instead tries to find another blue shirt, only for Fulham to get back and make the interception. That probably should have been a fifth for the visitors.
There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.
Fulham have a free kick in a very good position in the dying stages here. Can they end the game with something to cheer about? Riise is lining it up...
...but Kasami takes it and sends it straight into the wall. That will probably be that.
FULL TIME: Fulham 2-4 Manchester City
The referee blows his full-time whistle as Man City successfully hold on to their lead, which came under threat from a spirited Fulham performance in that second half. City weren't at their best and rode their luck at times, but winning these types of matches is so often the hallmark of champions, and City have now moved to within one point of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
The visitors took a 2-0 lead into half time, but Fulham hit back soon after the break through a Richardson goal before a bizarre Kompany own goal levelled things up. City would not be denied, however, and regained the lead through Jesus Navas before James Milner secured the three points with less than 10 minutes remaining.
It was another good performance from Fulham, who have been improving every week under Rene Meulensteen. However, for the second consecutive week, Fulham have played well and still conceded four goals. If they play to a similar standard against the teams around them, then they should be alright this season, but they need to find a way of plugging their leaky defence. For City, it is another four goals that mean they have now passed the 50-goal mark for the season, and we're not even halfway through. They just can't stop scoring at the moment.
Right, that's about all we have time for this afternoon. Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a very entertaining match at Craven Cottage as Man City moved up to second in the Premier League table with a hard-fought 4-2 win. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction and analysis, which will be on site shortly. We will have plenty more live commentary for you over the weekend, so be sure to check back in with us! From me, though, it is goodbye!
