Then came the first poor bit of refereeing for the day. P Walton is new this season and hasn't got many game sunder his belt. And it showed throughout the game.

A collision between Boa Morte and Muzzy saw the ref wave away the penalty appeals and protests. Poor Muzzy had tears in his eyes after been caught between the legs.

Freund continued on his quest to make the City fans worship him as he put in tackled after tackle, stopping Legwinski with little thought to his own safety., and manageing to then pick up a yellow card for his over enthusiatic challenges as he mistimes one on Voltz.

A chance for City cropped up 5 minutes before half time, with Bent chasinga lost cause and getting the cross in. Scowcroft couldn't miss, could he? Put it over. Why does Micky keep picking him? He's done bugger all this season and misses so many great chances.

The second half was a bit more exciting with Dickov coming close early on, the shot in the box deflecting out for a corner.

Minutes later, Dickov was agin buzzing up in the box and managaed to turn and crack a right-footed drive which rebounded from the inside angle of crossbar and post.

The ref let lots fo dodgy tackles go and things were niggly.

City continued to push and things all went bonkers in the 61st minute when van der Sar dropped the ball for a goalkick, only for Izzet to nip in and take the ball before the kick had been completed. Izzet slid the ball into an empty net, only for the goal to be disallowed and a free-kick awarded to Fulham.Fulham fans would argue Muzzy kicked van der Sar...City fans will argue he got the ball cleanly after van der Sar released it.

Dickov was then in on the action again and had a good shot saved by the Fulham goalie who was now having a busy afternoon.

Heath went up for a corner and glanced it just wide as City put pressure on with several corners.

Then it went bad. Malbranque chipped a ball and the City defence stood transfixed with arms in the air as Fulham substitue John nipped forward and beat the offside trap. He chipped Walker who came out, and Dabizas ran in vain towards the goal as we watched the ball bounce into the net. Against the run of play. Bugger.

Fulham were then on the up and nearly went two up and were only thwarted by Dabizas makinga good block from a Volz volley.

Fulham did manage to get the second a minute before time. Boa Morte used his pace and nutmegged Thatcher to put John through for his second.

Good job we didn't need to win, eh?