The Tanner Report : Manchester City 2 Fulham 1

We were  all gutted that City won this game in the 95th minute but we take a lot out of the performance.

For the third time – the other two were against Arsenal and Spurs – we lost by the odd goal in three to one of the big boys.

The real difference between sides like City and ourselves is the bench.

Phil Foden and Erling Haaland came on off their bench whilst we had Championship level players on ours.

It also means you can weather suspensions and injuries. Kenny Tete and Harrison Reed, who epitomises our industrious work ethic, through automatic suspensions – and Harry Wilson through injury – will miss out next week v Manchester United.

We went behind early but equalised from the penalty spot with Andreas Pereira converting.

It stayed that way with City reduced to 10 men as Cancelo was red-carded for the challenge that resulted in the penalty.

They still dominated possession (71%) and threw the proverbial kitchen sink at us.

Tim Ream, aged 35, organised the Fulham defence and resistance brilliantly.

He may have lost what little pace he had but – like Bobby Moore – makes up for it for his composure and reading of the game.

Alongside him Issa Diop, acquired from West Ham. after a shaky start is looking far more secure.

I followed the game on the Fulham website with the biased but passionate commentary of Gentleman Jim, a Fulham legend.

“Oh get up!” he shouts when an opposition player goes down too easily and feels obliged to respond to any prejudiced or coarse home chant.

Great stuff as you are in the company of a real fan .

Another fan there called me on the long journey down the M6 home.

He was gutted too but I consoled him we were are still in the top half of the table, ahead of Liverpool, and are a solid Premier team -beating our peers and giving a good account of ourselves against the title contenders.

We have 5 wins already and that equals our last relegation season.