Premier League: Fulham 2 Manchester City 2

A Sergio Aguero brace was not enough for Manchester City as Fulham fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Craven Cottage.

Despite City starting the more confident, it was the hosts who had the first meaningful effort on target through Clint Dempsey.

Gael Clichy tried to be clever with a quick free-kick to Micah Richards though it was under-hit and intercepted by the American whose shot from 25 yards flashed over.

City broke the deadlock in the 17th minute after some neat build-up play between Samir Nasri and David Silva set up the in-form Aguero, who placed it in the bottom corner with consummate ease.

In the 24th minute City almost doubled their lead through left-back Clichy, the summer signing from Arsenal picking up a clearance from a corner and striking it goalwards, forcing Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer into a top-class save.

Just 10 seconds into the second half, Manchester City stunned Fulham when Aguero doubled his and City’s tally. Clichy pumped a hopeful ball forward from the kick-off which was nodded down by Edin Dzeko to Aguero, who lashed in a fierce strike from the edge of the area leaving Fulham completely shell-shocked.

But Fulham hit back in the 55th minute when Bobby Zamora scored a fantastic goal to give his side an undeserved route back into the game.

Poor marking from Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany allowed Zamora too much space to pick his spot before hitting an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

The surprise goal from Zamora seemed to spark the home side into life and they almost drew level just moments later through Moussa Dembele when he hit a well-struck shot that took a wicked deflection off Lescott that forced Joe Hart into a world-class stop.

Fulham were looking like a completely different side after the Zamora goal and got a deserved equaliser when Danny Murphy scored.

Despite Martin Jol still looking for his first Premier League victory as Fulham boss the fans will be pleased with the spirit shown after going down 2-0 to such an impressive Manchester City side.

And Mancini will leave Craven Cottage wondering why they were unable to keep out a previously tame home attack.