At least one Manchester club could defeat second-tier opponents comfortably. While Premier League clubs took it in turns to flirt with FA Cup shocks, and Manchester United consummated an unwanted relationship, few dalliances were as brief as Manchester City’s. Behind after four minutes, level after six, ahead after 13, and three goals to the good before the hour mark, one of the season’s fastest comebacks left Fulham with about 90 seconds to savour an unexpected lead before succumbing to a 4-1 defeat.
Top of the Premier League beat top of the Championship and, if it is scarcely news that there is a gulf between the divisions and if Fulham showed more ambition at the Etihad than many a top-flight team, they were nonetheless dispatched.
