Niemi nightmare helps City claim point

AFP - 22 September 2007 20:35

Hameur Bouazza of Fulham (C) celebrates after scoring a goal against Manchester City during their Premier league football match atCraven Cottage in London. The match ended in a 3-3 draw.

LONDON (AFP) - Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov scored twice as Manchester City shared the points in a six-goal thriller at Fulham.

The home side could and should have claimed a precious victory but Lawrie Sanchez's men saw their best efforts undone by the shortcomings of goalkeeper Antti Niemi, who was at fault on all of City's goals.

The point kept Sven-Goran Eriksson's side in second place in the table, three points behind leaders Arsenal. But City will be displaced from that position if either side takes three points from Manchester United's meeting with Chelsea on Sunday.

Fulham's fast-paced start ensured Richard Dunne was immediately involved on his return from suspension, the City skipper forced into a superb saving tackle as David Healy burst clear of the visitors' back four.

But Dunne was far less assured when Hameur Bouazza delivered a 13th-minute cross from the left and Simon Davies nipped in front of the Irish centreback to score with a stooping header at the near post.

Bouazza and Clint Dempsey both spurned chances for Fulham to extend their lead before Petrov equalised for the first time, nine minutes before the break.

Cutting in from the left, Petrov was allowed to shrug off Chris Baird's challenge too easily and his low left-foot drive found the net with the help of Niemi's fumble.

A superb long-range effort from former Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann whistled inches over the bar as City picked up the tempo in the closing stages of the first half.

A superb Bouazza freekick gave Fulham the lead again shortly after the restart but City were back on level terms inside two minutes.

Niemi failed to hold a Petrov shot from the edge of the area and Emile Mpenza was on hand to head in the rebound.

City went ahead for the first time when Petrov beat Niemi with a low shot at his near post.

But Fulham were not to be denied something from the game and substitute Danny Murphy levelled the match with a cool finish after Seol Ki-Hyeon had headed the ball into the danger area.