Darren Bent eased the pressure on under-fire Fulham boss Martin Jol by coming off the bench to score the only goal of the game in their 1-0 victory over Stoke City this afternoon.

It is the Cottagers' first Premier League win since the opening day of the season and lifts them out of the relegation zone, and level with the Potters on seven points at the bottom end of the table.

Below, Sports Mole analyses whether the result was reflective of the action in West London.

Match statistics:

Fulham:
Shots: 9
On target: 2
Possession: 44%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 11

Stoke:
Shots: 16
On target: 3
Possession: 56%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 13

Was the result fair?

Neither side really did enough to claim that they were deserving winners, but Stoke may feel that Bent's late goal was a bit unjust based on the balance of the game. The visitors had more of the ball and the better of the chances when the score was goalless, but not the quality to capitalise on it.

Fulham's performance

This is a massive result for Fulham, but Jol will be under no illusions over what was still a sub-standard performance from his side. They carry quite a few players in the work-rate department and thus there is a lack of bite in their midfield, which could not be said of Stoke's industrious and tough-tackling side. Those luxury players in the home team - Dimitar Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz - created almost nothing with the very little of the ball that they did have. At the other end, the out-of-position Fernando Amorebieta was constantly exposed at left-back and they always looked shaky while defending set pieces, but they just about survived without conceding another late goal this afternoon.

Stoke's performance

There is a clear change of philosophy being introduced by Mark Hughes, but their passing game did not really muster a great deal going forward. They were limited in attack to one of two options - Marko Arnautovic shooting from range, or Robert Huth threatening in the air from set pieces. They still possess the solid defensive base that was in place under Tony Pulis, but they need to find some goals from somewhere in order to steer clear of a relegation battle this season.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Darren Bent: In a game of low quality, Bent produced one of the few moments of composure on the ball with his well-taken 83rd-minute winner. That was his only impact on the game, but it was a telling one, and with both sides struggling to find the net this season, Bent's value as a poacher of goals was decisive today. He was the only difference between two fairly poor sides. Credit also to Sascha Riether, who twice denied Huth with goalline clearances.

Biggest gaffe

Martin Jol leaving Darren Bent on the bench. Okay, I know that is a bit contrived, but the match itself was free of any major gaffes and surely the Dutchman should really be starting such a natural goalscorer when his team are struggling for form, and goals in particular.

Referee's performance

Roger East was at the centre of attention in the first half and frustrated Stoke by turning down two penalty appeals. The hosts also felt that they should have had a spot kick, but the official refused all three claims. He did not get any of them horribly wrong, but there was contact made when Philippe Senderos brought down Stephen Ireland, and Stoke may have felt that decision should have gone their way.

What next?

Fulham: Consecutive away matches in the Premier League after the international break against, firstly Crystal Palace on Monday, and then Southampton next weekend.

Stoke: A fortnight's rest before they host West Bromwich Albion at the Britannia Stadium, a week before Hughes's side travel to his former club Manchester United.