Welcome to the final game of the day, in which Manchester City need to get back to winning ways against the team that were the first to take points off them this season. City stuttered for the first time this season when they drew 2-2 at Craven Cottage but, in truth, they should make easy work of Fulham here. The only real issue is whether City’s recent loss of momentum will continue to affect them.

The teams:

Man City: Hart, Richards, Savic, Lescott, Kolarov, Nasri, Barry, Silva, Johnson, Aguero, Dzeko. Subs: Pantilimon, Clichy, Zabaleta, De Jong, Milner, Pizarro, Rekik.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Kelly, Hangeland, Senderos, Baird, Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Duff, Dembele, Dempsey. Subs: Stockdale, John Arne Riise, Kasami, Ruiz, Hughes, Gecov, Frei.

And we’re off.

There’s snow on the ground at Eastlands but City do look a bit hotter than against Everton (sorry, that was a lame link). Dzeko goes close with an early chance.

Penalty to Manchester City!

Johnson ghosted into the area and Baird did swipe him, but the winger did leave his leg there in exaggerated fashion!

GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Fulham

Aguero fires it into the top corner. Great penalty.

City in complete control now. I can’t imagine this game will be too competitive after such an early goal. Sigh. ESPN haven’t had the best luck from their late fixtures.

Silva with a glorious pass outside for Samir Nasri but he and Kolarov get mixed up and they only end up with a corner. Looked like a real opportunity was on.

This isn’t much of a game. After 19 minutes,it just seems impossible that Fulham will get anything out of this.

Have we spoken too soon? Simon Davies breaks and fires a decent shot at Hart. It’s saved though, meaning Fulham’s first attack of the game – after 24 minutes – comes to nought.

But, in response, Silva flashes just wide.

Duff, having done absolutely nothing so far, suddenly bursts into life, evading Kolarov and curling one just past the opposite post.

GOAL! Manchester City 2-0 Fulham

Baird has had a bloody nightmare. The ball is fired across the box, Johnson sends it back and it deflects off Baird and in.

And that should have been a second penalty as Silva was swiped by Etuhu. Clearly, a case of the referee unwilling to give two penalties in one half.

Fulham pitter-patter around the box but, as looked increasingly likely given the erratic nature of their passing, it breaks down… and City immediately go up the other end and almost score.

Dzeko was put clean through and should perhaps have scored but Hangeland gets across to deflect the shot over the bar. The only question remaining in this game is how many City are going to get.

Fulham win a corner as Duff plays the ball off Nasri. Chance… but easily headed away. Aw. Make it stop.

Oh so close to an opportunity there for Dembele but, just a she looks to break throug at edge of box, it’s ushered away.

Half-time: Manchester City 2-0 Fulham

This isn’t a football match.

It’s really bucketing down with snow as the second half is about to get under way.

And we’re off.

The second half proceeds just like the first: City on top and fashioning chances.

Fulham making a bit of a fist of it now as they get decent possession in the City have….

There’s a groundsman on the pitch now desperately clearing off snow. This has been the best action of the half – and arguably the match – as the crowd cheers on.

It really is tipping down with the ball making clear tracks on the pitch as it moves on the ground.

The snow not as heavy at Eastlands but neither is the action. City just controllongthe game about a third of the way into Fulham’s half. And that’s pretty much the pattern.

The ball almost ends up in the Fulham goal as it pinballs around the box. They eventually clear despite Silva loitering dangerously… and it’s back at the halfway. As you were/.

GOAL! Manchester City 3-0 Fulham

At last. Action. Aguero weaves into the box before squaring for Dzeko who finishes easily.

Admittedly, much as we may gripe about the quality of the match as a contest. you have to admire the way City have got back to winning ways with a mechanical performance that made victory routine.

City saved by the post. Would have been an own goal as City offer a rare attack.

Aguero comes off for De Jong. You’d have to imagine almost every City player was wishing it was them at that point. No way you’d want to be out in this.

David Pizarro makes his debut for City, coming on for Kolarov.

Full-time: Manchester 3-0 Fulham

An awful game for the neutral one but a creditable one for City, who disposed of Fulham in ruthlessly mechanical fashion to get back to winning ways.