Sven denied again by old foe Sanchez

If it is excitement you want, then Craven Cottage is the place to be. For the second consecutive home game, Fulham's Jekyll and Hyde nature served up a six-goal thriller as the Sven Goran Eriksson- Lawrie Sanchez rematch produced a game as memorable in its own way as the original.

It was two years ago this month that Sanchez's Northern Ireland inflicted on Eriksson one of his worst moments as England coach by winning a World Cup qualifier 1-0 in Belfast. While little could beat that for shock value, there will be few games before May which will match this one for ebb and flow, and goals.

Though City played their part, twice showing their growing resilience by coming from behind and then taking the lead on the hour through Martin Petrov's second goal, this was all about Fulham.

They can attack like champions — only Arsenal have scored more Premier League goals this season, but they ruin the good work with poor defending. Only Derby have conceded more goals.

But, just as against Tottenham in their last home match, when they came back from 2-0 and 3-1 down, they showed a never-say-die attitude with an equaliser from Danny Murphy.

Sanchez said: "I'm not really sure how I should be feeling; disappointed as we've thrown two points away or elated we've gained a point when we were down.

"We can score goals at the drop of a hat but we defend badly. We give the crowd their money's worth but it's not good for me as a manager. I'm sure Sven is more happy with the point than I am."

This was probably true, This was probably true, because for the first half an hour City were like shrinking violets, appropriately enough given the shade of purple featured on their revived away strip.

Asked whether he would prefer to entertain or win points, Eriksson, infamously pragmatic as England coach, said: "I would like to do both. If you try to play positive football, you will win many more games.

"Most of the time we have played attractive football. You don't see six goals in the Premier League every day. It's entertainment, but if you're in my clothes you are not that happy with a couple of decisions we took when we defended."

The first lapse led to the opening goal. Although Sanchez fielded four Northern Ireland players who became Windsor Park legends on that unforgettable night, including goalscorer David Healy, it was a Welshman who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute.

Poor tracking back and marking allowed Simon Davies to put Hameur Bouazza's cross into the net with his shoulder.

City woke from their stupor when Petrov equalised, punishing the first of three pieces of lacklustre defending by Chris Baird. The Fulham full-back forced the Bulgaria winger inside on to his seldom-used right foot, but Petrov simply waltzed on and jabbed a left-foot shot through Aaron Hughes's legs and into the net.

The second half started with a bang when Bouazza thrashed home a free-kick earned by substitute Diomansy Kamara, only for Emile Mpenza to equalise after keeper Antti Niemi parried Petrov's shot.

Baird completed a hat-trick of misdemeanours on the hour. Petrov's one-two with Elano was slick, but the full-back was flat-footed as Petrov ran past him before firing inside the near post.

Sanchez's response was a double substitution, with the ineffective Healy one of those to give way, and the pair combined to level the score again with 15 minutes to go.

Seol Ki-Hyeon won Niemi's long clearance and Kamara let the ball run to the on-rushing Murphy, who finished well with what seemed like his first meaningful touch of the ball. His second might have put Fulham ahead, but his shot went over the bar.

Abramovich will be hoping to enjoy Fulham's next Premier League match — the derby at the Bridge on Saturday.

FULHAM (4-4-2): Niemi; Baird, Hughes, Bocanegra, Konchesky; Davies, Smertin, Davis (Kamara 46min), Bouazza (Ki-Hyeon 67); Healy (Murphy 67), Dempsey. Booked: Bocanegra, Dempsey, Konchesky. Subs (not used): Keller, Stefanovic.

MAN CITY (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Garrido; Hamann, Johnson; Ireland (Jihai 83), Elano (Grovanni 80), Petrov; Mpenza (Bianchi 80). Booked: Richards, Hamann. Subs (not used): Hart, Ball.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).