Barclays Premier League

FULL-TIME

Manchester City close the gap on leaders Manchester United to four points thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win against Fulham at the Ethiad Stadium. David Silva was the star of the show with a double to sink the side from west London. His first came in the opening 96 seconds as he slotted home from close-range after Edin Dzeko's shot was palmed away by goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. That was his first goal in 13 matches. And he soon added only his third in 30 appearances for the club to seal the points after 69 minutes following a delightful one-touch move down the left and he eventually found himself in and one-on one situation with Schwarzer, but he kept his cool to flick the ball into the far corner. City have now won five and lost none of their last eight Premier League games against the Whites.

BAD MISS

Edin Dzeko sends the ball well over the crossbar from six yards after being put through by Vincent Kompany. That was an awful miss!

CITY SLICKERS

This time the roles are reversed as Edin Dzeko plays a delightful pass inside his marker to Sergio Aguero, but despite taking the ball around Mark Schwarzer, he is unable to stay on his feet and can't direct it on target. James Milner then fizzes his shot wide and seconds later goalscorer David Silva is replaced to a standing ovation by Joleon Lescott.

JUST WIDE

Aaron Hughes plays an aimless ball down the line which runs out of play for a goal kick. City immediately go on the counter and Sergio Aguero drifts inside a couple of challenges before playing the ball into David Silva, who unselfishly lays it off to Edin Dzeko, but he sidefoots the ball just wide of the near post. Mark Schwarzer was beaten!

AGUERO BACK

The flag is up against Dimitar Berbatov as he looked to pull a goal back. It's been one of those afternoon's for him! Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero is back from his hamstring injury and back in action as he replaces his fellow countryman Carlos Tevez.

SIDE NETTING

Edin Dzeko's strike deflects off Carlos Tevez and into the hands of Mark Schwarzer. David Silva has been the star of the afternoon and is immediately looking to create an opportunity for Tevez. Moments later, Dzeko fires his effort into the side netting with the angle always against him.

JOL CHANGE

Mladen Petric replaces Ashkan Dejagah, who has been ineffective this afternoon. Much more of an attacking approach from Martin Jol, although City look to to be home and dry at this stage of proceedings.

HAT-TRICK HUNTING

David Silva should have had his hat-trick after being put clean through again, but this time Mark Schwarzer comes out in a flash to narrow the angle and the playmaker can only slide his left-foot effort wide of the far post.

MAGNIFCENT SILVA

Lovely one-touch football on the left-hand side of the field by Manchester City, who work the ball through to the Spanish magician and he flicks the ball over the advancing Mark Schwarzer into the far corner for his second goal of the game. Just like London buses!

GOOOAAALLL!!!

DAVID SILVA

BOOKING AND INJURY

Carlos Tevez gives the ball away to Bryan Ruiz and he is pulled back on halfway by Javi Garcia. The midfielder is immediately shown a yellow card by referee Jon Moss. Now, Kieran Richardson's race has run as he holds his calf. Possibly a bit of cramp, but Martin Jol has decided to replace him with young full-back Matthew Briggs.

ZAB HOBBLES OFF

Javi Garcia races away down the right-hand side of the field before his cross is controlled by a calm Sascha Riether. Meanwhile, Pablo Zabaleta is unable to carry on and hobbles off to be replaced by attacker Samir Nasri, which means James Milner will slot in at right-back.

HALF CHANCE

Pablo Zabaleta is back on his feet after receiving some medical attention and the resulting corner is headed towards goal by Vincent Kompany, but Edin Dzeko fails to get a touch and Mark Schwarzer gets his big frame in front of players to claim the ball.

EASY BOOKING

Kieran Richardson is shown the second yellow card of the match after a poor challenge on James Milner. City are now enjoying much more of the ball and after an excellent move down the right-hand side, Brede Hangeland reaches the ball ahead of Pablo Zabaleta and concedes a corner.

WARMING UP

Carlos Tevez slams his right-foot strike well over the crossbar from the edge of the area. The quality of City's counter-attacking has not been there today. The game has not caught fire, but there is plenty of time left to go. Mario Balotelli - who was involved in a much-publicised bust-up with boss Roberto Mancini - is warming up.

NOT IN GEAR

City have not got out of second gear since that early goal and Fulham seem to be growing in confidence as Kieran Richardson almost makes a hash of a clearance. The hosts don't have a great record against their opponents having won just one of their last five home Premier League matches against them - a 3-0 win last season.

END TO END

Great drive and determination by Carlos Tevez, who steals the ball off Steve Sidwell, but the midfield man gets back to make an important tackle on the striker. At the other end, Pablo Zabaleta is felled by Dimitar Berbatov.

LASHED OVER

There have been no changes at the break by either side. Roberto Maninci would have surely asked his side to try and keep the ball a bit better in this half if they want to cut the gap on their neighbours to four points by the end of this game. Fulham start the better though until Matija Nastasic's poor clearance is fired high over the crossbar by Steve Sidwell.

HERE WE GO

We're underway in this second period then. City have won four and lost none of their last seven Premier League games against the Whites while Fulham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 top flight matches now. The bad news for the visitors is that City have conceded just nine goals at home this season, only Chelsea (8) have allowed fewer with the Cottagers having scored 15 goals away from home, which is the most among teams in the bottom half of the table.

HALF-TIME

Manchester City have a slender one goal lead over Fulham thanks to David Silva with his first goal in 13 matches and only his second in 30 appearances. It came after just 96 seconds as he slotted home from close-range after Edin Dzeko's shot was palmed away by goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Fulham have now kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 Premier League matches. City failed to capitalise on the early strike and the Cottagers have enjoyed a fair share of possession without really threatening Joe Hart.

FULHAM PRESSING

Dimitar Berbatov fails to latch on to a through ball and then Ashkan Dejagah feels he is brought down just outside the penalty area by Pablo Zabaleta, but nothing is given. Fulham stay on the attack but Sascha Riether's cross is headed away.

FREEZING UP

One or two players are losing their footing on the surface, which seems to be freezing up after the undersoil heating system was turned off before kick-off. Ashkan Dejagah is warned by referee Jon Moss after tripping David Silva from behind.

JAVI UNLUCKY

Javi Garcia does superbly to win the ball in a challenge, but referee Jon Moss awards Fulham a free-kick for a handball against the midfielder. To be fair to the man in the middle, the ball did pop up and hit his hand.

JUST WIDE

Steve Sidwell comes close to restoring parity at the Ethiad as he gets up above both Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kompany, but the ball comes off his shoulder and drifts wide of the far post with goalkeeper Joe Hart untroubled. That moment did draw a few gasps from the home supporters.

GOOD BLOCK

City are almost playing like an away side, happily sitting back and looking to counter-attack. Steve Sidwell is careless as he looks to pass the ball out and that allows Carlos Tevez to get his shot away, but Fulham have enough defenders back to make the block.

FLYING TEVEZ

Fulham did beat West Brom in their last away match as the home fans get behind their side. Bryan Ruiz looks to thread Dimitar Berbatov through, while at the other end James Milner cuts inside before his inswinger is so nearly headed home by Carlos Tevez, who threw himself at the ball.

YELLOW CARD

In those 100 top flight games, Carlos Tevez has scored 54 goals. An impressive stat for the Argentine forward. City push out in a straight line and leave Dimitar Berbatov standing 20 yards offside. Moments later, David Silva looks to break clear, but he's hacked from behind by Giorgos Karagounis and referee Jon Moss is given little option but to book him.

SHOT IN ANGER

It's been a routine performance from Manchester City so far today, although Fulham have enjoyed some possession. The hosts counter and Carlos Tevez - playing his 100th Premier League game today - decides to have a shot in anger from 30-yards, but Mark Schwarzer holds the ball comfortably.

WELL HELD

David Silva finds space out on the left-hand side and his cross into the area is headed towards goal by the dangerous Edin Dzeko, but Mark Schwarzer gathers comfortably and he immediately sends his team on their way up the other end of the field.

SOLID PRESSURE

Roberto Mancini will be absolutely delighted with his side's start, but Fulham seem to be growing in confidence, although after going forward they immediately go back as City press up the park. Mark Schwarzer hacks the ball out for a throw on halfway.

ZAB CONTROL

A half chance for City as David Silva picked out the right pass again and Gael Clichy's cross found Pablo Zabaleta hanging at the back post, but he was unable to control the ball with his chest and it runs out of play for a Fulham goal kick.

WHITES STUNNED

Manchester City keep up their record of having scored in every game so far this season. City have won 35 of their last 40 home Premier League matches (4 draws, 1 defeat), outscoring their opponents 105-26. Make that 106-26 after that early goal. Fulham, wearing dark shirts and shorts today, look pretty stunned after conceding that early strike, but they are coming forward now, until Steve Sidwell's header is collected by Joe Hart.

BALL RETENTION

There was just 96 seconds on the clock when David Silva scored that goal. There are still 16 games to go in the Premier League this season and a lot can happen. City are a team in form after an impressive seven wins out of the last eight matches in all competitions. That City bench is worth over £80million. But the XI players on the pitch are now happy to keep the ball away from the visitors.

HI HO SILVA

What a start! Just over 90 seconds on the clock and the hosts are ahead. Edin Dzeko's shot is palmed away by Mark Schwarzer, but only to the Spaniard, who tucked the ball away with his left-foot for only his second goal of the season.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

DAVID SILVA

WE'RE UNDERWAY

Here we go then. The visitors get us underway at a packed and rather chilly Ethiad Stadium in Manchester. The pitch is in excellent condition and City will be aiming to cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the standings to four points this afternoon. Fulham have slipped into the bottom half of the table and have recorded just two wins in their last 14 matches, although they did reach the fourth round of the FA Cup thanks to a hard earned win at Blackpool in midweek. This is the 61st meeting between the sides in all competitions. City have 27 wins to Fulham's 17. There have been 16 draws. We're in for an interesting 90 minutes!

TEAM NEWS

City are unchanged for the visit of Fulham to the Ethiad Stadium. Skipper Vincent Kompany starts after the Belgium defender saw his red card from last weekend's 2-0 win at Arsenal rescinded. Samir Nasri is on the bench after serving a three-match ban, whilst striker Sergio Aguero is also amongst the subs after returning from a hamstring injury, as is Jack Rodwell and Mario Balotelli. Fulham have won just one of their last six and two of their last 15, but manager Martin Jol does include Dimitar Berbatov for the clash the Etihad, after he was rested for the cup win at Blackpool. Bryan Ruiz and Steve Sidwell are also back after suffering from hamstring complaints.

TEAMS

MANCHESTER CITY: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Garcia, Barry, Milner, Tevez, Silva, Dzeko. SUBSTITUTES: Pantilimon, Lescott, Rodwell, Kolarov, Nasri, Balotelli, Aguero. FULHAM: Schwarzer; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Richardson; Duff, Sidwell, Karagounis, Dejagah, Ruiz; Berbatov. SUBSTITUTES: Etheridge, Senderos, Baird, Petric, Briggs, Rodallega, Kacaniklic.

MATCH PREVIEW

Manchester City will be aiming to cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the standings to four points as they host Fulham at the Etihad Stadium. Roberto Mancini's side are showing the kind of form which won them their first title in 44-years last term after an impressive seven wins out of the last eight matches in all competitions. United currently boast a seven-point advantage over their neighbours as they prepare to take on Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. The home side head into this encounter as firm favourites having scored in the last 17 league meetings between these two sides, while Fulham have only failed to score in one game, so expect a glut of goals. The Cottagers have slipped to the bottom half of the table and have recorded just two wins in their last 14 matches going back to mid-October. They've kept just one clean sheet over that time - a scoreless draw at Chelsea. However, after last weekend's draw at home to Wigan, Martin Jol's men did receive a welcome boost on Tuesday evening after snatching a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with victory at Championship outfit Blackpool.

CITIZENS WARY

Mancini does not expect his side to walk over opponents Fulham today and has warned his side of any complacency. "Fulham are a good team, they have good players. When we played them away, we won the game in the last second. We played very well and deserved to win but Saturday will be a different game," he told reporters during his pre-match press conference. "They won their last game away against West Brom, they are very dangerous on counter-attack. Their manager has big experience and he knows he can do well. It depends on us."

JOL HOPEFUL

Fulham head into the clash 13th in the table, but boss Jol reckons the team are doing well and hopes his side can take something at fortress City, especially as they face leaders Manchester United twice in a week - either side of a home game against West Ham. "We are still unbeaten in January," said the Dutchman. "We have won two away games at West Brom and Blackpool (FA Cup replay) and two draws against Blackpool and Wigan, so it is not alarming. The only thing is if you compare us with last season we had an unbelievable spell after Christmas and if the league had run for six months we would have finished in the top five."

EARLY TEAM NEWS

City are expected to have skipper Vincent Kompany available for the match after the Belgium defender saw his red card from last weekend's 2-0 win at Arsenal rescinded. Samir Nasri is back in contention after serving a three match ban for the dismissal he received at Norwich, whilst striker Sergio Aguero (hamstring) may return from the injury he picked up on New Year's Day. Defenders Micah Richards and Maicon (both knee) are out, but Jack Rodwell (hamstring) could make a return from the bench. Midfielder Yaya Toure, defender Kolo Toure and back-up striker Abdul Razak are all at the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast. The Cottagers will include their talisman Dimitar Berbatov for the trip to the North West, after he was rested for the cup win at Blackpool. Bryan Ruiz and Steve Sidwell (both hamstring) are also available. Simon Davies (hip), Kerim Frei (groin) and Mahamadou Diarra (knee) are all ruled out.

REFEREE

The man in the middle for today's encounter is Jon Moss. The official from Sunderland has taken charge of 11 matches this season showing 28 yellows and one red card. That works out at an average of 2.64 cards per game. His assistants for the game are Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett, while the fourth official is Neil Swarbrick.