Fulham are succumbing to a 1-0 scoreline against Stoke City at half time in their League Cup third round meeting at Craven Cottage, with Peter Crouch's goal the difference between the two sides.

The visitors came close to opening the scoring after just two minutes when a poor backpass to Joe Lewis had to be scrambled clear with Peter Odemwingie bearing down on goal.

Kit Symons's charges continued to press and force mistakes from Stoke, who struggled to get into the game as a whole, although Odemwingie threatened in the 18th minute with a rasping long-range shot that sailed wide of the left post.

Despire Fulham's impressive play, it was Stoke who would open the scoring as, just after the half-hour mark, Peter Crouch's one-two with Odemwingie set the tall striker through on goal, where he slotted home from seven yards out.