Italian Striker Bernado Corradi ended his goal drought by scoring a brace to sink out of form Fulham.
Corradi scored twice in the first half, his first for Manchester city since his summer swith from Valencia, and Joey Barton added another, before Collins John pulled one back for out-of-form Fulham.
Stuart Pearce’s side are unbeaten in their own ground this seasn and Collin John`s goal was the first they have conceded at Eastlands in seven home league matches.
Pearce must take some of the credit for Corradi`s match-winning display as he restored the former Lazio forward to the starting line-up after leaving him out against Newcastle last week.
Corradi got his seized his first chance and gave City the lead in the 12th minute after combining well with strike partner Giorgios Samaras.
The Greek forward lifted a pass forward from the edge of the Fulham penalty area and Corradi was perfectly placed to steer his shot past Antti Niemi. After struggling to get a game at city following his debut sending-off against Chelsea, Corradi, who had been without a goal for 12 matches, is beginning to look the part and his dominant display was too much for Fulham to handle.
He was denied a second goal when Niemi managed to block his shot from Hatem Trabelsi`s pass.
Fulham briefly threatened when Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop headed a good chance straight at Nicky Weaver.
But Chris Coleman`s team were second best throughout and Corradi increased the lead in the 32nd minute, Claudio Reyna’s challenge in midfield got the ball rolling for the second goal, the ball then broke to Barton, who surged towards goal before supplying Corradi, to thump home. The Italian`s confidence after his first goal was apparent as he looked up and dispatched a clinical strike past Niemi.
Just when Fulham thought they had made it to the safety of half-time without any further damage, Tunisian Trabelsi pounced on a loose pass and fed Barton, who drove home a fine finish to complete a perfect first 45 minutes for City.
Undoubtedly stirred by some harsh words from Coleman at the interval, Fulham at least gave a better account of themselves in the second half.
Collins John gave the scoreline a glimmer of hope for Fulham supporters in the 62nd minute when he latched onto Heidar Helguson`s clever flick and chipped a sweet lob over Nicky Weaver’s head from just inside the penalty area for his first goal of the season.
Starting Line-ups:
Fulham: Antti Niemi (GK), Moritz Volz, Zat Knight, Ian Pearce, Liam Rosenior, Carlos Bocanegra, Frank Queudrue, Papa Bouba Diop, Claus Jenson, Luis Boa Morte, Brian McBride.
Subs: Lastuvka (GK), Routledge, John, Helguson, Radzinski.
Manchester City: Nicky Weaver (GK), Hatam Trabelsi, Distin, Ben Thatcher, Richard Dunne, Micah Richards, Joey Barton, Claudio Reyna, Giorgios Samaras, Darius Vassell, Bernado Corradi.
Subs: Hart, Onuoha, Ireland, Dickov, Miller.
Player Ratings
Antti Niemi.
He let in three, but wasn’t to blame. 7.
Liam Rosenior.
Way below best. 5.
Zat Knight.
Out of Form. 5.
Ian Pearce.
Better then the rest. 6.
Frank Queudrue.
A bit sluggish and slow. 4.
Moritz Volz.
Determined. 6.
Carlos Bocanegra.
Not up to usual standard. 5.
Papa Bouba Diop.
Outshone. 6.
Claus Jenson.
Edgy. 5.
Luis Boa Morte.
Indifferent. 5.
Brian McBride.
Isolated. 6.
Heidar Helguson.
(SUB) Steady. 7.
Tomasz Radzinski.
(SUB) Late Intoduction. 6.
(SUB) Best Fulham player on the pitch. 8.