Jol hails strike ace Pogrebnyak
Pavel Pogrebnyak
Fulham manager Martin Jol praised new signing Pavel Pogrebnyak after his debut goal helped the west Londoners defeat Stoke 2-1.
But there was an entirely different reaction to the Russia international from Stoke boss Tony Pulis, who claimed the striker might have been sent off for a foul on Wilson Palacios.
Despite training with his new team-mates for the first time only two days ago, the 28-year-old fired home 16 minutes into his debut, with Thomas Sorensen's own goal helping Fulham to a 2-1 victory, and Jol said: "We had somebody over with him during the process of getting his work permit. He worked well and was fit."
He added: "As you know, we don't have a lot of number nines at this club and he was keen to start. That was a positive thing and it meant Clint [Dempsey] could play in his position."
While Fulham arguably deserved victory, Stoke ensured a nervy ending to the match when captain Ryan Shawcross reduced the deficit from a corner.
Stoke manager Pulis struck a frustrated figure after watching his fall to a fourth successive league defeat, which he felt could have been avoided if Pogrebnyak had been dismissed in the first half.
Shortly after breaking the deadlock, the striker clattered Palacios and the Stoke boss believes it was worse than the challenge that saw Potters defender Robert Huth sent off last week.
"Last week we had Robert Huth sent off for a challenge where he is going in and has pulled his two feet away and had both feet facing the ground. We have seen a challenge today from the Russian lad on Palacios where he catches Wilson on the knee. The referee didn't see it.
"Kevin Friend, the fourth official, is stood where we are and it was a very poor challenge. The kid doesn't even get a yellow card. The inconsistency in respect of incidents this season is really, really poor.
"I am really disappointed. Last week we had a player sent off. This week, for a worse challenge, and I think you will watch and agree, the lad doesn't even get a yellow card."
Press Association
