Man City 2-2 Fulham

Roy Hodgson defended Bobby Zamora even though the striker's horror miss cost Fulham the chance to record another amazing comeback win at Manchester City.

Two years ago, the Londoners fought back from 2-0 down and certain relegation to win 3-2 in a ground their fans have re-named Easylands'.

Yesterday they almost repeated that feat — and would have won 3-2 if Zamora had not had his incredible miss.

At 0-0 shortly after the break, the ball fell to the front-man as he stood four yards out, dead in front of goal and with City goalkeeper Shay Given stranded on the deck. It looked easier to score than miss but Zamora ballooned the ball over the ball.

City capitalised on that blunder to take a two-goal lead only for Fulham to fight back with Zamora playing his part. The fact the striker bounced back from his howler delighted Hodgson.

The Fulham boss said: “It was a horrific miss but it's a pity because Bobby played so well and unfortunately people who watch the match on TV will see the miss.

“What they won't see is the other 96 minutes and 45 seconds in which he was absolutely magnificent for us.

“The miss did affect his confidence for 10 minutes or so but Bobby exemplified our character and resilience. If you want an example of this team's character and ability to bounce back, then Bobby's performance in the last 30 minutes symbolised that.

“If he had scored, it would have been a crowning glory. But all it will be seen as now is a glaring miss and a blot on his copybook but I was very pleased with his performance.

“His target-play was magnificent, he held the ball up well, he brought people into the game.”

Fulham fell behind in the 53rd minute when Joleon Lescott helped an Emmanuel Adebayor shot over the line in a crowded box. Martin Petrov then made it 2-0 on the hour when he fired home after being fed from the right by Wayne Bridge.

But Hodgson's men dipped into the history books for inspiration and dragged themselves back into the encounter as firstly Damien Duff rammed home a fine effort from the edge of the box before Clint Dempsey's diving header wriggled past Given to stun the hosts.

Hodgson said: “After their goals we got ourselves back on track. We have players injured at the moment so it was a sterling effort for the players to earn a point.

“We battled hard against a good side, defended well throughout, and the character of the team is outstanding.”

City boss Mark Hughes praised the resilience shown by Fulham but rued the fact his side gave away a two-goal lead to miss out on the opportunity to go third in the Premier League.

He said: “At 2-0 we should see the game out comfortably but we have allowed them back into the game.

“Credit to them, though. They get everyone behind the ball and make it difficult for the opposition.”