By Michael Baggaley at Craven Cottage

FULHAM   2 (Pogrebnyak 16, Sorensen og 28)

STOKE  1 (Shawcross, 78)

RYAN Shawcross's 78th-minute headed goal at Fulham couldn't save Stoke from slipping to a fourth successive league defeat.

Fulham's Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak made a flying start on his debut than when he smashed home Fulham's opener on 16 minutes.

Clint Dempsey was largely responsible for Fulham's second, on 28 minutes, when his long range effort cannoned off the bar, and then off Thomas Sorensen on its way into the net.

Matthew Upson volleyed over from close range at the start of the second half as City laboured to get back into the game. However, they gave themselves hope when Shawcross glanced home substitute Jermaine Pennant's corner.

Upson had got his chance in the heart of Stoke's defence as Robert Huth served the first of his three-game ban. Glenn Whelan partnered Wilson Palacios in central midfield with Jon Walters on the right, Matthew Etherington on the left, and  Peter Crouch and Kenwyne Jones up front.

Stoke escaped on 14 minutes when Mousa Dembele played through Damien Duff on the left of the area, but his low cross was smothered by Thomas Sorensen.

Glenn Whelan's 25-yard strike was easily saved by Mark Schwarzer – and that was as good as it got for Stoke before Pogrebnyak fired the home side into a 16th-minute lead.

Jon Arne Riise drilled the ball low into a crowded area and Pogrebnyak was on-side as he controlled the ball before lashing it into the top corner from 14 yards.

Stoke threatened an equaliser within two minutes, but Jones volleyed over from Walters's cross.

Pogrebnyak was very lucky to escape with just a lecture after a late challenge on Palacios, but Stoke had more than that to worry about as they tried to get back into the game.

Jones and Palacios screwed long-range shots well wide before Dempsey doubled the Cottagers' lead on 28 minutes, with a little help from Thomas Sorensen.

The USA international gathered the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a viciously swerving strike. The ball was heading just above Sorensen, but the keeper couldn't tip the ball over. Instead, it crashed off the bar, hit the keeper and rebounded into the net.

Walters met Etherington's corner with a near post header well wide before Stoke looked in more trouble when Marc Wilson clipped Dempsey's heels as the forward tried to run on to Danny Murphy's through ball.

Wilson was booked before Murphy curled the free kick just wide.

Palacios was also booked for a 43rd minute foul on Dempsey as the Fulham player surged through the centre of the pitch. Murphy  chipped the free kick through to Duff who brought the ball down with his first touch before shooting with his second and bringing a fine save from Sorensen.

HALF TIME

Fulham 2 Stoke 0  

Stoke came close within two minutes of the restart after winning a free kick on the right. Whelan whipped the ball to the near post where Upson had timed his run perfectly – but sent his volley over the bar from six yards.

Another chance went begging, on 55 minutes, when Wilson's cross glanced off a Fulham defender's head to Crouch, but was mis-controlled by the unmarked striker at the back post.

Pogrebnyak picked up a knock after falling awkwardly so was replaced by Simon Davies on 63 minutes.

City made a change of their own  on 66 minutes as Jones was replaced by Ricardo Fuller.

Andy Wilkinson hammered an 18-yard strike well wide before Etherington was replaced by Jermaine Pennant and Ryan Shotton came on for Andy Wilkinson. 

Crouch sent a dipping volley well wide on 76 minutes before City pulled a goal back on 78.

Fuller won a left-wing corner which was delivered to the near post by Pennant. Shawcross rose highest and sent a glancing header  across goal and inside the far post.

Fulham boss Martin Jol responded by replacing Murphy with Dickson Etuhu in central midfield.

Crouch volleyed over from Fuller's header as City pushed for a leveller.

However, Simon Davies's shot was deflected over, before a mix-up between Shawcross and Upson gave Dempsey half a chance. The forward pounced on the loose ball, but was foiled by Sorensen who had come racing from his line to smother the ball.

Chris Baird replaced Brian Ruiz on 90 minutes  before the announcement of five minutes of injury time brought a roar from the travelling supporters.

However, it was Fulham who came closest to scoring when Dempsey beat Sorensen to a long ball over the defence. He rounded the keeper, but could only roll the ball against the post from a difficult angle.

FULHAM: Schwarzer, Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise,  Murphy (Etuhu, 80), Dembele, Dempsey, Ruiz (Baird, 90), Duff,  Pogrebnyak (Davies, 63).

Subs: Stockdale, Gecov, Frei, Trotta

STOKE: Sorensen, Wilkinson (Shotton, 68), Shawcross, Upson, Wilson, Walters, Palacios, Whelan, Etherington (Pennant, 68), Jones (Fuller, 66), Crouch.

Subs: Begovic, Whitehead, Jerome, Woodgate.

Referee: Chris Foy

Attendance:  23,555