Fulham v Stoke player ratings

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Fulham returned to winning ways courtesy of Dimitar Berbatov’s fine goal. Here’s how we rated the players in their 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage.

Mark Schwarzer: 8
Produced vital saves, first from Peter Crouch when he had brushed off Philippe Senderos and then, most crucially, using his pre-match homework to keep out Jon Walters’ spot-kick.

Sascha Riether: 8
Had an excellent game. Never allowed Stoke in behind him down the left-hand side and was a constant threat overlapping, putting in some telling crosses.

Brede Hangeland: 7
Strong in the air and ensured the subdued Crouch – and his replacement Kenwyne Jones – barely got a touch. Fulham’s high tempo slightly slowed when he was on the ball but by and large he picked out sensible passes

Philippe Senderos: 6
Steady if unspectacular but could have cost his team badly with the one lapse, when he tried to shepherd a loose ball back to Schwarzer, only for Crouch to brush him aside and get a shot away.

John Arne Riise: 7
Usual dynamic display up and down the left flank. Got forward well and popped a couple of shots on goal but occasionally left swathes of grass in behind him, most notably when Walters raced clear early on.

Damien Duff: 7
Tricky feet occasionally dazzled in the final third but he was frustrated too many times by a lack of options in the box.

Giorgos Karagounis: 7
Calm on the ball and a steady presence in midfield, although his influence waned prior to his substitution. Saw a goalbound free-kick well saved.

Steve Sidwell: 7
An excellent first half, including a neat one-two with Ashkan Dejagah which lead to a fierce drive just wide. He was in and out of the second half as Fulham failed to get the same grip on midfield.

Ashkan Dejagah: 6
Offered a good outlet down the right but was guilty of raising his hands for the penalty award. Worked hard but needed a more consistent end product.

Bryan Ruiz: 6
Always buzzed around the Stoke back four, dropping deep and also sitting on the shoulder in support of Berbatov, but again he was less influential as the game wore on.

Dimitar Berbatov: 8
Another moment of inspiration won the game, although ironically his stunning volley was one of the few tricks he tried that came off. A little too languid in the first half, the goal seemed to scare Stoke a little and he was afforded more space after the break to become the focal point of attacks.

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