Shattered City scrape through

Man City 2, Fulham 1 (after extra time)
MARK HUGHES admitted his Manchester City players were drained as they scraped through to the last 16 of the Carling Cup.

They needed extra time last night to overcome Fulham at Eastlands and the City manager believed his side’s lethargy was down to the after- effects of the Manchester derby.

Hughes said: “You have to understand how much physical effort was put in at the weekend, and emotion as well.

“We looked drained at times because of that. But we dug in and again showed great qualities. Coming from behind is always difficult against a Premier League team.

“Fulham had lots of energy as the majority of their team had not played at the weekend and they were ready for the game.

“We had to dig in and show courage because at the end a few of the guys were out on their feet. It was a big effort by everybody.”

It was a measure of how highly City regard the Carling Cup that 10 of the starting line-up from the Manchester derby kicked off last night’s match.

The one exception was Micah Richards who was replaced at right-back by Pablo Zabaleta.

City have not won a major honour since 1976 and they would happily settle for any silverware, even the much-maligned Carling Cup which sees most Premier League teams playing weakened sides.

Fulham changed their entire team from Sunday, when they lost at Wolves, as it was clear to see where the priorities of the Cottagers lie - the Premier League and Europa League.

Yet it was Fulham’s makeshift team which stole ahead after 35 minutes of a non-event of an opening period through a wonder goal from Zoltan Gera.

The Hungarian international scored a goal out of nothing, a spectacular half-volley from 25 yards, to leave City stunned.

City were back on level terms within seven minutes of the restart when Gareth Barry rose at the far post to head home a corner from Craig Bellamy.

Yet Fulham could have snatched victory late on through South Korean Seol Ki Hyeon whose shot was scrambled away by keeper Shay Given.

Carlos Tevez had two great chances to put City ahead for the first time in the opening period of extra time, but failed to find the net, each time with headers.

But with a penalty shootout decider looming ever close came City’s 111th minute winner.

Substitute Martin Petrov delivered a corner to the far post and City captain and central defender Kolo Toure scored with a header which went in off the underside of the crossbar and hit keeper David Stockdale on its way into the net.