Dimitar Berbatov’s sumptuous volley earned Fulham a valuable 1-0 win at Craven Cottage in Saturday’s early kick-off in the Barclays Premier League.

But it could have all been different had Mark Schwarzer not kept out Jonathan Walters’ penalty – the Australian made a superb save to deny the Irishman in the second half.

Fulham were the better team throughout and took the lead in first half stoppage time when Berbatov crashed home a right-footed effort after the Potters defence had failed to clear their lines.

The Whites had chances to extend the lead in the second period but the solitary goal proved to be enough – with Schwarzer’s stop proving vital.

Martin Jol made three changes to the side that drew with Norwich City a fortnight ago. Sascha Riether came in at right-back for Stanislav Manolev, Giorgos Karagounis replaced Emmanuel Frimpong, while Ashkan Dejagah took Hugo Rodallega’s place, with the Colombian dropping to the bench.

Stoke City – although known for their danger in the air – were looking threatening on the deck too, with Schwarzer getting down well to push Walters’ low effort away on seven minutes after he’d been played in by Peter Crouch. The Whites responded immediately, though, and Berbatov did well to control Riether’s cross before volleying narrowly over on the spin.

Fulham did have the ball in the back of the net on 11 minutes when Bryan Ruiz turned in Damien Duff’s free-kick, but the Costa Rican used his hand and was subsequently booked by referee Lee Probert.

Stoke had their backs to the walls on 21 minutes when they needed Robert Huth’s face to block Duff’s fierce effort following good play by Steve Sidwell, before John Arne Riise tested Asmir Begovic after powering his way into a shooting position – the Bosnian stopper held his low effort well, though.

The card count was level two minutes later but Stoke could consider themselves lucky not to be down to 10 men when Steven Nzonzi pushed Ruiz square in the face with his hand. They were almost made to pay, too, but for a superb sprawling save from Begovic to keep Karagounis’ dipping free-kick out.

Fulham were in the ascendancy and Ruiz headed over on 26 minutes after he’d been picked out by a fine Philippe Senderos cross from the right.

The Potters were quite content to keep 10 men behind the ball when Fulham were in possession, making it difficult for Jol’s side to break them down. They nearly did just that, though, a minute before half-time when Sidwell was on the receiving end of a slick one-two before firing a yard wide of Begovic’s far post.

And Fulham got the goal their play in the first half merited when Berbatov volleyed home with aplomb in stoppage time. Riether’s cross wasn’t cleared and it fell to the Bulgarian to smash home his ninth goal of the season, much to the delight of his teammates and Manager, who he embraced in a celebratory hug.

Fulham started the second period the stronger but were almost caught out on 48 minutes when Crouch got the better of Senderos in the area as the centre-back tried to shield the ball – luckily, Schwarzer was on hand to deny the former England frontman with a great save.

With Stoke offering little threat, it was frustrating for the Cottage faithful to see them awarded a penalty on 55 minutes when Dejagah was penalised for handball. The stadium erupted, though, when Schwarzer got down immensely to block – and then hold – Walters’ spot-kick. Fantastic stuff from the 40-year-old.

A piece of magic from Berbatov nearly saw the Whites extend the lead on 59 minutes. The striker twice flicked the ball over a Stoke head in the box before seeing his left-footed volley claimed by Begovic at the second attempt.

Great defending by Dejagah then prevented Crouch getting an effort away four minutes later when a deep cross looked set to find the striker, before an audacious poked effort by Riise a minute later dipped just too late to cause Begovic any real concern.

Karagounis was next to go close when he played a one-two with Dejagah from a corner before firing just over from 20 yards in front of the Hammersmith End. On 77 minutes the lead was nearly extended again when Ruiz burst into the area despite Ryan Shawcross’ best efforts to knock him over. The forward then played a ball that found its way to Sidwell, but the midfielder’s strike deflected wide for another Fulham corner.

With nine minutes left to play, Karagounis was withdrawn to make way for Chris Baird, with the Greek leaving to a standing ovation following another typically industrious display in the middle of the park. And Jol made another change five minutes later when Urby Emanuelson took Duff’s place on the wing, before Berbatov was withdrawn for Mladen Petrić just after four minutes of stoppage time had been announced.

Petrić could have sewn the points up shortly after but smashed high and wide after he’d been well found by Dejagah. Fulham had to survive a minute or so of Stoke pressure but held on to secure a huge win which saw us move to within a point of the Staffordshire side.