Hughes happy to take a point: Fulham 1, Manchester City 1

AFTER they swept six past Portsmouth in the warmer summer sun, Manchester City would have expected to claim three points at a chilly Craven Cottage in early December.

But minus 11 first-team players because of injury, including all three of their Brazilian stars, Blues chief Mark Hughes was satisfied with a draw.

How City missed Robinho’s dazzling skills — the South American is still struggling with an ankle problem — as they played second fiddle to Roy Hodgson’s vastly-improved Fulham.

This time last year City were fifth in the Premier League and dreaming of Champions League football which ultimately never materlised.

Twelve months on and despite being awash with Arab millions they sit just three points off the relegation places.

Benjani had given Hughes’ side the perfect start when he made a darting run between two defenders to head home superbly from Pablo Zabaleta’s cross.

But the slender advantage lasted just 19 minutes as Jimmy Bullard, with England coach Fabio Capello looking on, smashed the ball beyond Joe Hart.

Hughes said: “We were good value for our 1-0 lead, so it was disappointing to give it away, but given the circumstances I’m happy to settle for a point.

“I certainly didn’t come here expecting to win. Fulham have been in good form of late so we knew they would cause us problems.”

City’s early success should have been the catalyst for only their second away win of the season. Instead, they allowed Fulham to stamp their authority on the game.

The home side, who had recently held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield, were left dumfounded after they thought they were denied a stone-cold penalty when Andy Johnson’s shot struck captain Richard Dunne’s arm.

Referee Rob Styles turned down their appeals, but there was no denying Fulham’s equaliser moments later when Bullard scored from an acute angle.

Michael Ball was saluted by Hughes for his performance at left-back, but it was indicative that a defender was picked out for praise as City were unable to build any reasonable amount of momentum.

They were fortunate in that Clint Dempsey and Johnson wasted chances and, as the clock ticked by, one sensed a point would do nicely for City.

Zabaleta so nearly restored the visitors’ lead, but his effort was tipped away by Mark Schwarzer.

But that was a close as City came in a one-side second half, in which Bobby Zamora was inches away from firing Fulham ahead.

City have now won just one of their last seven league games. That victory, against Arsenal, has proved a false dawn.

Apparently, Hughes has got his sights on a play-maker — Frenchman Franck Ribery is being linked to Eastlands — a striker, a central midfielder, a defender and a goalkeeper in the January transfer window.

For many City fans, the New Year can’t come soon enough.