The script for the season reads that the Blues – unused to juggling the heightened demands of taking on Europe’s elite with the more physical, less cerebral challenges of the Premier League – might suffer as a result.
The expectation from the nodding heads of the Premier League and its press pack is that City will find the dual burdens too much to bear and do what Tottenham did last season.
Four days after the Napoli match, this was the first opportunity to scrutinise the Blues for any cracks which might appear, and the critics were not disappointed.
The validity of using this game to take City’s temperature was tempered by the fact that Fulham were also coming straight out of European competition, following Thursday’s draw with FC Twente in the Europa League.
But the Cottagers rested four players for that one, while City’s only changes – again – came in the full-back positions, where Micah Richards and Gael Clichy replaced Pablo Zabaleta and Aleks Kolarov.
The difficulties became apparent when manager Roberto Mancini took off the tiring Sergio Aguero – whose two clinical goals had put them in the driving seat – and David Silva, whose excellence had spurred City to that position.
The early signs were not great for the Blues.
Vincent Kompany nervously and unnecessarily gave away a corner, the ball was bouncing off Edin Dzeko like a pinball bumper, Joe Hart dangerously smashed a free-kick across the face of his own box and almost let in Clint Dempsey, and there was a sluggish feel to City’s possession football.
That changed suddenly, and inevitably it was Silva who sparked things. Kompany began the move with a perfectly-executed tackle on the edge of his own box, quickly freeing the little Spaniard for a scampering run.
He arrowed a pass to Samir Nasri and then dashed for the return, the only disappointment in a scything move being his finish into the side netting.
It was almost as if that move clicked things back neatly into place, as the Blues kept the ball, probed and remained patient as Fulham tried to ape Napoli and squeeze the space in the final third with alert, determined defending.
The Londoners’ manager Martin Jol went into this game with a record of six wins from six in Premier League games against City, from his days as Tottenham boss – he also knocked them out of the Uefa Cup with Hamburg three seasons ago.
But City set about ending that record and on 18 minutes moved smoothly ahead.
Gareth Barry, running things in his efficient, effective manner, did the unglamorous stuff, working the ball around the packed defence and then darting a pass in to Silva.
His control and instant pass to Aguero were of top quality, and the little Argentinian tucked it away in clinical style.
Fulham were not tempted to come out of their shell.
Their philosophy remained to sit deep and try to frustrate the Blues, while hoping for a break at the other end.
But now City were in the mood and Mark Schwarzer became a central figure for the home team.
He clawed the ball away from Edin Dzeko’s head as Aguero crossed with menace, turned Clichy’s pile-driver round the post and then, best of all, produced a magnificent reflex save to push Dzeko’s cracking shot over the bar.
At this point it seemed that the only edifice about to crumble was the one Fulham had tried to build between City and their goal.
Confirmation of that came just 10 seconds into the second half, as City went route one from the kick-off.
The ball was played back to Clichy and he launched it long for Dzeko, whose header was perfect for Aguero.
The finish from the City new boy was never in doubt.
Now was the time for the Blues to show the ruthlessness that Mancini had spoken of two days before – Fulham were down, and needed to be knocked out.
But instead the Cottagers took advantage of some slack City defending to haul themselves back into it.
Mousa Dembele and Dempsey were allowed too much time to work an opening, and Bobby Zamora was left unmarked to turn and crash his shot past Hart.
The whole mood changed in a heartbeat, and moments later Richards was forced into an athletic chase and well-timed tackle to prevent Dempsey from sprinting through on goal.
Then Hart was forced into a tremendous save, diving full length to push the ball round the post from Dembele’s shot.
Mancini’s concern was obvious as he took off Silva – playing his third game of the week and clearly tiring – and put on Pablo Zabaleta to offer his beleaguered defence better protection.
It didn’t work. Fulham had their tails up and inevitably grabbed an equaliser with quarter of an hour to go.
Again City failed to close down well enough and Danny Murphy’s shot cannoned off Kompany to wrong-foot Hart and nestle in the corner.
With Aguero and Silva departed, the Blues lost all attacking momentum and were left clinging to a point.
Now they have to show that this was a blip, and not a sign of weakness. Tweet
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'With Aguero and Silva departed, the Blues lost all attacking momentum and were left clinging to a point.'
Rubbish, City were the only likely winners in the last 10 minutes.
Hopefully we will learn the lessons from yesterday and quickly.
So Stuart is this an indication of Euro Cup hangover or not as your memo to Mancini article reads a little different to your match verdict.
Well Stuart i answered your queastion last week about Roberto been to 'down beat' about conceding silly Goals !!!!!!
What are your thoughts today about the matter ??? I suggested that CITY had not invested enough money in the defensive department and was 'slaughtered' by 11 reply's suggesting that i was being too fussy etc etc ???? Are the same 11 people going to post an apology ?? I doubt it !!!
Please dont get me wrong CITY have had a great start and cannot win every game but the warning signs were there against Bolton etc that we needed a massive improvement defensively NOW WE HAVE PAID THE PENALTY WHICH IS WHAT I SUGGESTED !!! Not too worry we are still one of the top 3 teams in England in Roberto's 2nd full year !!! How long did it take Fergie ????
Agreed we tossed off 2 points there for the taking. Some change for the corresponding last season's fixture when we stuffed Fulham 4-1 and could have been more. Fulham have sometimes pegged us back in recent seasons for an undeserved draw and we must stop this - it's just careless and could easily cost us th Prem title. It's like slackening off against Manure in the closing minutes (too often) But we do have a chance to make amends next weekend against another bogey outfit - Everton - let's not give Cahill any free headers. Badly missing De Jong and Milner who would have prevented this setback..
Kompany and Lescott are not what they were last season. Why does Hart kick the ball long surrendering possession?
"Left clinging to a point"? I don't think that is true. We kept on going forward until the end and pressing for a winner. I am not happy we let two goals in, but please get the report right!!!
More pointless musings from a rag.
Certain players seem to ease off when we go ahead and stop fighting.This gives the opposition heart and as they edge back into games we panic and the tide turns.
Mancini is right it is a mental attitude.Everyone knows in the premier league no team gives up and you have to fight to the final whistle.
If you take the Spurs game even though we were 4-1 up with a bit more luck Spurs could have scored a couple more.A fit De Jong,Millner and if he ever gets fit again Hargreaves should help steady games more when the quality of our forwards put us in front.
In spite of the money spent we are still a work in progress and it is only 3 years or so that we have managed to get to this level.Stay calm we will sort it.
I,m not impressed by any of the explanations of City's surrender of a two goal lead in the last half hour at Craven Cottage, nor am I any more nonvinced by the argument that this casts grave doubt on City's "title credentials". Just over one year ago, on September 11, 2010, City struggled to a home draw against Blackburn, which, all the papers assured, showed we were not top four candidates. On the same day, United surrendered a 2-0 lead AT HOME to WBA. This came after they had earlier surrenderd a 3-1 lead going into stoppage time at Goodison, and a 2-1 lead going into stoppage time at, funnily enough, Fulham. Who won the PL? Other hacks tell us that City will be unable to win in the league after a European game. Why not? We have a big enough squad, that's what it was assembled for! Our manager gave the most waspish explanation himself - we are short of midfielders! I assume our press don't understand Italian humour when they hear it! NdJ is hurt, Milner is concussed - but that didn't stop us winning without them three times and most obviously aT WHL! That a midfield with David, Samir,Ya Ya and Gareth isn't good enough to hold a 2-0 lead against Fulham certainly seems to have amused Martin Jol! This was a day where City stopped playing - but why?
You have seen all the proof you need to see that again City will be a Bridesmaid to United's Bride
Slack marking and a lack of a Ruthless streak let The Cottagers of the hook.
Was it not only last week that Mancini was saying that tiredness was not an excuse?
Now he is playing the tiredness card to account for the poor last half hour against Fulham and the loss of two valuable points.
By this action alone they have already confirmed that there is nothing down for the Championship pennant ending up at the Etihad stadium this season.
Its amazing how easy it is to sit here and criticize city and mani tatics , City 2-0 up we should be good enough to close out the game , this is a learner curve we will have to start doing to win this league .. I am totally SICK of the crap about listening to every thing being blown out of proportions about what Mani says , Yes on Sunday he had limited cover in midfield for this game , there was nothing said about needing to buy new players or how much we spent .. Utd Chelsea , Liverpool all spent money this summer , yet that’s ok in fact Ragface is the best as his players are young and winning , typical media glory for Utd , City Best start to the season every and little is being said ,, 2nd place that’s great for every City Fan out there , this is what we want – Give City some Praise , at least once ! still unbeaten remeber
HA HA HA HA HA! City haven't got enough players.At this rate they will have to double the training staff and have adouble decker as a team bus!
Huh have you had the day off Brennan… Old news we're over it! Nearly...
Let's not get carried away fellow blues, we've had the best start to a season in living memory, 2 points dropped is never good, but before a ball was kicked, how many of us would have taken 4 wins and a draw in the 1st 5 games? On top of that we hammered a very good spuds side 1-5 away, stuff all the pundits, we're on track for our best season for decades, we'll bounce back against the blue dippers on Saturday, and get another monkey off our backs, onwards and upwards.
CTID
If United had City's squad I wouldn't be surprised if they won they won everything. Its all about attitude and experience. Its a lot lot better a City these days, but results like this are a jolt.
I think this is an unfair post about a team that has started the season well. A draw away to Fulham is not a bad result. But because of the great start City have had the media slate them?
Now 1st lets get all the pointless quotes about a United fan posting on the blue sides pages out of the way please!!! I have never been a gloating red and have never been one to smile at City's misfortunes over the past how ever many years. I am a Manc and would like nothing more than to see both our sides challenging for all honours.
You have had a fantastic start to the season and snapped up two players I would have loved to see wearing red Aguero and Nasri, But most of all I have been really impressed in the way you have played this year!! full of passing, controlling games and scoring goals and it is no surprise to me that I and all the country call you serious title challengers.
Because of the money you have backing you, you will always have the negative comments when you don't win, play badly or lose a game you should have won. But you are playing some great football, scoring some great goals and will be there at the end of year when the trophies get given out!!
You like us seem to be missing a solid central midfield, we have some up and coming players that can fill the gap, you dont seem to or dont have a manager confident enough to play them. Will this be the difference?
I relish this years football like I have not done for many a year, the football comes from Manchester! The colour is yet to be decided.
Bring it on!!!
Good luck
Brennan you do let your rag bias show way too much... before the Fulham equaliser you didn`t mention the foul on Dzeko which would have given us a free kick and stopped the attack.
We were left clinging on were we??? No you are wrong again Brennan we looked the more likely to win the game.
Please please can the MUen get a reporter who isn`t so anti City to do the articles about us .
I long for the days of Peter Gardener when at least we got a balanced view. To be honest i was surprised that when we stuffed Spurs 5-1 it wasn`t reported as a blip for Spuds.
MUen distorting the truth in favour of the swampettes for far too long....