Player of the Season Matthew Etherington's 7th goal of the season won this game for game for Stoke late on, after a turgid affair with very few sights of goal for either side.
The Potters and the hosts were both hoping for the three points that would elevate them into the top half of the table, with Fulham's extra incentive being next weeks Europa League final and the Potters also looking to better last season's points total, they started the game one behind the 08/09 total of 45 points.
A full strength side was named by both managers, with Hodgson making a whole hosts of changes as he aims to keep the players fitness levels up before next Thursday's European final and City boss Pulis resisting the urge to use some squad members who may have a point to prove or want the chance to show perspective new clubs what they can do.
The game started slowly and it took 34 minutes before there was a shot on target, a Mama Sidibe effort that was slowly making its way towards goal before being blocked by a defender. Fulham didn't have any shots of their own but that was due to two expertly times last ditch tackles from Huth, some great defensive heading from the centre backs and wayward shooting from both Gera, who was the Cottagers best player, and Duff.
The second half started with a bit more tempo to it and Fuller blazed over after being teed up by Whelan before a couple of Delap throws cause problems with Fuller heading inches wide and Sidibe nodding straight at Schwarzer with the goal gaping. Etherington was also much more involved during the second period and he whipped a ball across the 6-yard box that required only the slightest touch to stab it into the net but nobody was there and it fizzed out for a throw in.
Fulham had their clearance chance with twenty minutes remaining but Begovic was on hand to produce a world class point blank save after Dempsey fired the ball towards goal following a scramble inside the penalty area.
That sparked the hosts into life and Murphy, Gera, Dempsey and Etuhu all forced Begovic into saves, of varying difficulty, before the goal arrived. Whitehead chipped the ball in behind the defence and Fuller raced past Konchesky to beat the full back to the ball. The Jamaican then flicked the ball over his head, leaving Konchesky on his backside before firing in a dangerous cross. The ball took a touch off substitute Tuncay in the middle before falling into the path of Etherington, steaming in at the back post. The winger hit the effort first time and watched as it flew into the net, via the inside of the post, before running off to celebrate with his teammates.
City then brought on Salif Diao and Liam Lawrence to run down the clock, and shore up the midfield, as they played out the few remaining minutes and recorded their third league double of the season.