Jol forgives Johnson

Fulham manager Martin Jol has forgiven Adam Johnson for the gamesmanship that helped Manchester City on their way to an important 3-0 win at the Etihad Stadium.

With just three wins from their last nine games and facing opposition who had lost just once on their last eight away games with City, the Blues needed a fast start. And they got it when referee Mike Dean decided Chris Baird had fouled Johnson in the box, even though TV replays showed it was the City winger who had initiated the contact.

"I was surprised at the penalty but if you look at it again, maybe Johnson did well," said Jol. "I had a few players in the past who did that. We all tried it when we were younger. The referee has to make a decision but I still think it was a soft one."

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