Fowler escapes a fine from Keegan

Robbie Fowler will not be fined by Manchester City for his late-night drinking binge last week.

The Manchester City striker was pictured clutching two bottles of beer and smoking a cigarette in an Essex nightclub in the early hours, as he celebrated the club's Carling Cup win over Queens Park Rangers.

His night out had been given Kevin Keegan's blessing, but the manager was alarmed at photographs of his £6million player smoking and apparently drinking to excess and was expected to fine him two weeks wages - around £120,000.

But Keegan chose not to throw the book at Fowler and instead gave the whole team a dressing-down about their responsibilities.

"The players had my permission to go out on that evening so did not break club rules," Keegan said.