Fulham 0-1 Stoke City

Stoke made eight changes from their weekend draw with Leicester

Stoke survived a late onslaught from Championship Fulham to reach the fourth round of the League Cup.

Peter Crouch fired Stoke ahead with his first goal of the season after combining with Peter Odemwingie.

Ross McCormack came close to equalising for Fulham in the second half but failed to make telling contact with Ben Pringle's cross from three yards out.

Odemwingie was then wasteful from close range before Dan Burn shot against the bar for Fulham late on.

Stoke are yet to win in the Premier League this season but held on to reach the last 16 of the League Cup, with goalkeeper Shay Given clawing out Lasse Vigen Christensen's shot as Fulham finished strongly.

It was Stoke boss Mark Hughes's first win at Craven Cottage since he left the club in 2011.

Fulham boss Kit Symons:

"The goal they scored was very fortuitous.

"There wasn't an awful lot in it but I didn't think we were positive enough and showed them too much respect.

"I thought we were better second half and we ramped it up as it went on and had an abundance of chances at the end but unfortunately we couldn't take one of them. I don't like losing, but if you do, at least we lost having a go."

Stoke boss Mark Hughes:

"Peter Crouch struggled in pre-season, he had an operation that didn't go as planned and set him back. Now he's getting up to speed.

"He's a player that gives us different options. He's a focal point to the team and a technically good player. He will want to play more but he's got a big role to play.

"He is an important player and an important member of the squad."