Dimitar Berbatov's goal in the 39th minute has given Fulham a 1-0 lead against West Bromwich Albion away from home in the Premier League.

There was a slow start to the match, with both sides lacking urgency and imagination to make the first move.

Fulham hogged possession in the opening exchanges at The Hawthorns, but failed to make any effort on goal in the first 10 minutes.

Things picked up momentum in the 12th minute when set up by Ashkan Dejagah, Steve Sidwell shot high over the West Brom crossbar from outside the box.

Berbatov had a great chance to put Fulham ahead on the half-hour mark when he found himself with a loose ball just outside the area, but failed to make the most of it.

However, the Bulgarian striker eventually broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when set up by Dejagah following a counter-attack, firing his shot past Ben Foster.