Fulham have edge
FULHAM 2 STOKE CITY 1
FULHAM 2
STOKE CITY 1
Pavel Pogrebnyak's debut goal helped Fulham on the way to victory against an out-of-form Stoke.
The Russia international joined Martin Jol's side from Stuttgart on transfer deadline day and quickly made his mark at Craven Cottage.
Despite training with his new team-mates for the first time only three days ago, Pogrebnyak fitted in seamlessly and, at first glance, seemed a more than ample replacement for Bobby Zamora as he netted 16 minutes into his debut.
The 28-year-old controlled a wayward John Arne Riise shot to rifle home, before Fulham doubled their advantage as Clint Dempsey's superb 30-yard drive rebounded off the bar onto goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen's back and in.
Pogrebnyak's afternoon ended in the 62nd minute as he hobbled off with an injury and Stoke ensured a nervy ending to the match when captain Ryan Shawcross reduced the deficit from a corner.
However, Fulham held on for a fifth win in seven home games as Tony Pulis' Stoke fell to a fourth successive league defeat.
- Simon Peach
