Last Saturday, I witnessed a range of emotions from a woman interviewed by the BBC who feared that train cancellations might prevent her from reaching the Manchester City v Fulham match.
This led to commentators Jim and Jamie’s post-match contemplation of a long and miserable journey home.
City manager Pep Guardiola must have been in confident mood as kickoff approached. His team routinely score at least three goals at home and the only potential threat, Aleksandar Mitrovic, was out of action through injury.
Visiting fans could at least be sure that Marco Silva had compelling reasons to rest the Serb and it was some consolation for them to know that Erling Haarland was also not in the starting lineup.
Heavens open
The heavens opened but regardless of the weather, Fulham seldom look at their sharpest in the early stages and City promptly took control.
It took only eight minutes for Andreas Pereira to be booked for a foul on Rodri and a further nine minutes for City to take the lead through Julian Alvarez after he received a brilliant pass from Ilkay Gundogan. Goalkeeper Bernd Leno appeared to misjudge the shot, but it was so cunningly placed that a goal was probably inevitable.
More trouble ensued when John Stones headed in from a free kick but fortunately VAR confirmed that Rodri had contributed to the action from an offside position.
This escape was followed by a shock Fulham goal. Joao Paulhinha released Harry Wilson, who beat Akayi and surged into the penalty area only to be barged to the ground by Joao Cancelo, who was given a red card. With his team facing a penalty Guardiola must have been doubly glad about Mitro’s absence but Pereira, a former Manchester United player, ignoring the boos of the fans and the City’s gamesmanship, beat Ederson from the spot to make the score 1-1. Andreas is increasingly seen as an inspired signing.
Uneasy
Now it was City’s turn to look uneasy and Fulham’s to indulge in time-wasting.
Had a fully fit Mitrovic been on the pitch the game could have taken an even more surprising turn. As it was the teams were still equal in the 64th minute when the manager sent on Haarland and Phil Foden.
The giant striker did not look on top form, spurning a couple of chances. However, he did find the net, heading past Leno from a Kevin de Bruyne pass. VAR spotted a kneecap offside – the sort of decision that makes you despair (unless it happens to favour your team).
When Tim Ream make a vital clearance in the 90th minute it appeared that Fulham had achieved a magnificent draw – but 300 seconds were added and in almost the last of these City destroyed our dream.
After Antonee Robinson half cleared a cross from Bernardo Silva, de Bruyne seized the ball and as he advanced on goal Robinson’s weary tackle allowed the Belgian to hit the floor for a soft penalty.
Haarland took on the responsibility, admitting afterwards: “It was one of the most nervous moments of my life.” And though Bernd Leno anticipated his kick correctly, the ball somehow crossed the line.
The team had come so close to denting City’s enviable home record but finally had run out of luck. Nothing remained but that long journey home.
Fulham FC Women at the Cottage – 20 November
Next Sunday’s Premier League home match against Manchester United is the last before the World Cup break.
But there is a very important fixture scheduled for the Cottage on the following Sunday (20 November) at 2pm. Fulham FC Women have been drawn against AFC Wimbledon in the first round of the Capital Cup.
There have been women’s teams associated with the club since the 1980s (I will say more on this next week), but rarely have they played at our legendary ground.
At £5 for an adult ticket and £1 for a child this is an opportunity not to be missed.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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