Malbranque strikes to end Fulham’s barren run
At the 18th time of asking, Fulham finally registered an away win in the Premiership, and it was Steed Malbranque – a man Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce tried to buy in the Authentic Prada Bags Online Singapore summer – who proved to be the Cottagers’ injury-time hero, finishing off a lightning counter-attack as the visitors turned the game on its head in the last five minutes. After picking up only four points on their travels all season, the contest seemed to be following a familiarly depressing pattern Authentic Prada Handbags Online Australia for Fulham Black Prada Eyeglass Case when Richard Dunne swept City in front midway through the second period.
But, after substitute Georgios Samaras had wasted an excellent opportunity Biggest Prada Store In London to double the hosts’ lead, Collins John flashed home a close-range leveller for Fulham. Then, once Liam Rosenior had denied Samaras with a brilliant goalline clearance, Fulham poured forward in stoppage time and Malbranque lashed home from 20 yards. It was tough Alex Pradas Quiles luck on the hosts, who edged a lively contest, but Authentic Prada Handbags Online Australia ultimately their failure to apply the killer touch cost them dear.
Fulham made Authentic Prada Shoes Outlet their attacking intentions clear inside the opening minute when full-back Rosenior strode on Authentic Prada Leather Handbag to a Heidar Helguson cut-back and drove narrowly wide. From that moment on, chances came and went at regular intervals without bringing a breakthrough for either side.
The best opportunity fell to City, which was just about in keeping with the balance of play. Antoine Sibierski purse, recalled in place of £6million striker Samaras, showed excellent anticipation to read where Joey Barton’s free-kick was going to drop. But after controlling inside the six-yard Agatha Ruiz Dela Prada Uk Sale area, he fired against Antti Niemi’s legs.
Sibierski’s influence also continued to grow throughout the contest, although, when the opener arrived midway through the second period, he was not involved. Dunne’s effort came straight out of the route-one manual when Barton planted a free-kick on to the head of Micah Richards. The youngster’s last appearance on the ground had been in City’s failed Youth Cup final bid. But the academy ranks will soon be a distant memory for the highly-rated 17-year-old, whose All Prada Nylon Bags firm header fell perfectly for Dunne to sweep home.
City must have thought they had got the win when Samaras exchanged passes with Trevor Sinclair and beat Niemi with a deft flick, only for Rosenior to race back and head away from virtually underneath the bar. How important that clearance proved to be as Malbranque handed Fulham the away win they have been craving since August.
MAN OF THE MATCH – Antoine Sibierski
On his return to the City side, the Frenchman was busy and creative and involved in most of the home team’s most productive moments. Did not deserve to be on the losing side.