Fulham rally from behind to hold Man City

• Bullard’s fine goal ensures the spoils are even in tough league encounter

LONDON

Jimmy Bullard’s fine strike saw Fulham come from behind and deny Manchester City a rare away victory.

Benjani nodded the visitors ahead when he outmuscled two Fulham defenders to head in Pablo Zabaleta’s teasing cross.

But Fulham levelled following a flowing move which culminated in Bullard smashing the ball past keeper Joe Hart.

Both sides had chances to win the game with Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora going close for Fulham and Zabaleta having a rasping shot tipped just wide.

But a City winner would have been harsh on a Fulham side who undoubtedly had the bulk of possession and created the better chances.

Fancied their chances

Heading into the match the Londoners boasted the second best home record in the Premier League and must have fancied their chances against a normally travel-sick Manchester City team, who had won just one away league game this season.

But within five minutes their hopes of earning a sixth win out of eight home matches was under threat.

Pablo Zabaleta worked his way to the byeline and his superb far-post cross was met by Benjani who showed great desire to leap highest and head the ball past Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Within moments Stephen Ireland could have added a second only to drag his shot wide.

But Fulham, who were unchanged for the fourth successive match, recovered from a shaky opening ten minutes and began to look more like the formidable home side they are.

Wonderful goal

Joe Hart bravely saved at the feet of the ever-lively Andrew Johnson and also did well to block Bobby Zamora’s close-range effort.

Roy Hodgson’s men then had strong claims for a penalty dismissed by referee Rob Styles when Johnson’s clever first touch caught Richard Dunne off guard and the big defender seemed to use his arm to knock the ball behind for a corner.

But Fulham were deservedly level on 27 minutes thanks to a wonderful goal from the excellent Bullard.

The England hopeful started the move in his own half and continued his run into the box where he latched on to Zamora’s astute pass and his powerful drive was too hot for Hart.

Watching England boss Fabio Capello could not fail to have been impressed with Bullard’s display, or that of team-mate Johnson.

Johnson and partner Zamora were a constant menace to City’s much-changed rearguard who clearly missed the physical presence and pace of the injured Micah Richards.

Fulham were on top and should have made more of their chances.