Fulham Beat Man City

ROY HODGSON praised his battling Fulham players after they fought back to stun a hapless Manchester City at Eastlands.

The home side went in at the interval 1-0 up but three second-half goals saw the Cottagers record only their second away win of the season.

Under-fire City boss Mark Hughes chose to leave Brazilian Robinho on the bench and his decision to turn to Ched Evans as a replacement for Valeri Bojinov once Fulham had levelled led to a minority of the home fans chanting: “You don’t know what you’re doing”.

Stephen Ireland, with his second goal in as many games, put City ahead against the run of play but two Clint Dempsey goals either side of a Dickson Etuhu effort turned the Premiership match around.

Delighted Fulham boss Hodgson said: “Coming to a very difficult place, the way we went about our business today was very good.We were a bit unlucky to go in a goal down but the boys shook that off.

“Belief is key. It’s too easy to start thinking things are not going your way.

You have to fight those things, keep doing what you’re doing.”

Fulham are up to eighth place in the Premiership but Hodgson is refusing to entertain the idea that the Londoners might secure a place in next season’s Europa League.

He said: “The important thing for us is to keep up the good work and see where the points get us.”

Hughes blamed the midweek UEFA Cup exertions on his side’s latest defeat.

They went down in Hamburg on Thursday despite also taking the lead and Sparky said: “Fulham had the advantage of a clear week.

“We were feeling the effects of the game in midweek. Tired minds sometimes make mistakes on the field.”

Hughes brought Robinho on with the scoreline at 2-1 but Fulham continued to dominate and it was no surprise when Dempsey wrapped up the win near the end.

But the City manager defended his decision not to start with the Brazilian who has yet to score in 2009.

He said: “People make comments but I am trying to protect the players. I know the fitness levels of each one. So when people make comments maybe they are being a bit too simplistic.

“Robinho has had a great first season but he has been among those responsible for carrying the vast majority of the workload, and it was my first opportunity to give him a break.”

City must now attempt to overcome a 3-1 first-leg deficit against the Germans on Thursday to reach the UEFA Cup semi-finals and salvage their season.

Hughes added: “We are looking to finish the season strongly and now we are looking to peg back a two-goal deficit against what I consider to be the best side in Germany.

It is a tall ask but we will give it our best shot.”

For those City fans demanding the removal of Hughes, Fulham boss Hodgson had some words of caution. He added: “This is a club where there has been an awful lot of changes in a very short period.

“Mark Hughes is building a new team. But he is a very successful manager and I’m sure he will soon have City challenging for honours.”