Toxteth met Moss Side in what should have been a volatile combination. Instead a full house was treated to nothing more than a sense of anti-climax.

Outside supporters were still desperately searching for tickets. The T-shirt sellers had also leapt into the fray. "Saint Robbie," their wares proclaimed: "Rage is temporary - class is forever."

Paul Yates, 38, a bricklayer from Stockport, was up for it. "I'm excited," he said. "It's great that Kevin Keegan's had the guts to put him in the team and not keep him on the bench."

That was probably the City manager's first mistake. The second was not to take him off when the home side were 2-1 down and Robbie Fowler was labouring to complete his first 90 minutes this season.

Fowler had stepped apologetically on to the Maine Road pitch, having joined the club at the second time of asking, to a rousing reception. By the end, pudgy and sluggish, having played much of the game at walking pace, he looked out of place in a sky blue shirt and long white shorts which seemed a size too big. This, unfortunately, is the Fowler who has become a familiar sight in recent years.

As ever, he is coming back from injury. This time it was his hip. Previously it has been a broken leg, knee ligament damage and two ankle operations. He rarely seems fit. At 27 he should be in his prime. Instead his football life is passing him by.

Typically Keegan is building from the front, pairing Fowler with the £13m Nicolas Anelka. The Frenchman was permitted to pick Fowler as the striker he would most like to play alongside and responded with an exceptionally unselfish display. Where Fowler was static, Anelka ranged tirelessly, seeking to present his partner with scoring opportunities.

Keegan said he was reasonably pleased, adding: "It was good for Robbie to get 90 minutes under his belt. He'll get involved and be sharper in the next week or two and we'll reap the benefits in the coming weeks and months.

"He kept working, showing and looking for things but we never really picked him out and he needs better service than we gave him. We saw glimpses but that's where you start - from little acorns big trees grow."

Keegan has spent £43m in 21 months in charge. He has spent £31m since the end of last season. Gary Megson at West Bromwich Albion, promoted behind City last season, has spent £10m over 35 months. His side were not worse than City on Saturday.

Like Leeds, City have raised money through securitisation, borrowing £30m against future ticket sales in the new Commonwealth stadium. But few in the side would interest other managers. Manchester United and Arsenal, whom they meet in succession, will be licking their lips.

In the 18th minute Neil Clement was allowed his second free header from a corner and scored. City pulled a goal back when Phil Gilchrist headed into his own net but, in the 70th minute, more defensive confusion gifted Darren Moore the winner.

Victory lifted Albion off the bottom of the table. "Some people think relegation is a certainty but it's not," said Megson. "There are 13 games left with seven at home. It's not over by a long way."

Man of the match: Nicolas Anelka (Manchester City)