Ahmed Elmohamady's first-half header has put Hull City on course to preserve their unbeaten start to the season against Fulham.
The Tigers, who will go top of the Championship with a two-goal victory or better, started brightly with Andrew Robertson trying to forge a breakthrough as he shot wide of Marcus Bettinelli's goal.
On 15 minutes, Sone Aluko then tried his luck with a strike from the edge of the box, but his effort was off target.
Hull came even closer to breaking the deadlock on 24 minutes when Michael Dawson played a cushioned header into the path of Curtis Davies and the defender's hooked shot struck the top of the crossbar, with Bettinelli seemingly beaten.
However, Steve Bruce's men finally broke Fulham's resolve as a well-placed cross from Robertson from the left flank found Elmohamady, who headed home from close range.
Fulham almost got back on level terms when Matt Smith brought a save out of Allan McGregor, but the Cottagers suffered another blow before the break when Bettinelli was stretchered off after a collision with Smith, who was also replaced.
Chris O'Keefe
