Fulham 1 Stoke 0 Premiership result 25 April

Roy Hodgson’s Fulham beat Premier League strugglers Stoke 1-0 moving them up to seventh in the Premier League to boost their chances of a European spot next season.

It was substitute Erik Nevland who separated the two teams, finishing a counter attack from close range. Norwegian striker Nevland replaced injured Bobby Zamora and was sharp.

Stoke’s usual bombardment of spectacular Rory Delap throw ins couldn’t save them yesterday, but the visitors were without Beattie, Higginbotham and Wilkinson. The Potters did push Fulham in the second half but coach Tony Pulis wanted more from his team in terms of testing Mark Schwarzer.

"The 'keepers didn't have a lot to do but we created four good chances today and disappointing thing is we haven't made their goalkeeper make a save.
"I thought the two from Rory in the first half were very good chances, as were the two headers in the second half. Ryan's headed it down and it's bounced over the bar, and the second glanced off Ric's head when on another day it would have been buried in the back of the net."

Fulham scorer: Nevland 29th minute
Attendance: 24,997 (Craven Cottage)