Dempsey brace downs City

A Clint Dempsey brace either side of a fine Dickson Etuhu volley against his former club kept up Fulham's unlikely pursuit of a UEFA Cup place and piled the pressure on Hughes.

Stephen Ireland had put the Blues in front with his 12th goal of the season but City lacked punch in attack and not even the introduction of their £32.5million record signing in the 63rd minute could change that.

The vast sums spent on Hughes' squad are not looking like value for money, with the £32.5million lavished on Robinho a major piece of poor judgement.

Robinho was presumably not the only person in Ireland's sights when he branded his team-mates as not being brave enough following the UEFA Cup loss to Hamburg.

Midfielder Ireland backed up his bold statement with action, running at the visiting defence, which fatally decided to stand off.

Ireland tried his luck. And, profiting from a deflection off John Pantsil, he beat Mark Schwarzer with a dipping effort.

Roy Hodgson's men overcame a poor interval position to get their noses in front. First, after being gifted possession by Pablo Zabaleta, Dempsey latched onto the loose ball and expertly curled home.

Then, when City's wobbling defence failed to cut out the danger presented by Dempsey and Paul Konchesky, Etuhu rifled into the corner from 20 yards.

Robinho's introduction, along with that of Daniel Sturridge, followed shortly afterwards, but Fulham continued to threaten. And Dempsey bagged his second when City were caught on the counter-attack.