Darren Moore earned West Bromwich Albion their first win and points in the Premiership as Fulham's unbeaten start to the season came to an end at the Hawthorns.
Central defender Moore headed home a 48th minute corner to earn Albion a deserved success against a Fulham side who struggled to hit top form in a match that saw eight bookings - four for each side.
Jean Tigana's side were lightweight in attack as they failed to force the Albion goalkeeper Russell Hoult into a save of note.
Steve Marlet and Facundo Sava toiled up front while Fulham would have slipped to a heavier defeat if it had not been for their goalkeeper, Edwin Van Der Sar.
Albion had lost their first three games of the season against Manchester United, Leeds United and Arsenal but Fulham did not carry the same threat as the other three sides.
Albion could easily have taken the lead as early as the 11th minute when Lee Hughes, on his return to the Hawthorns after his £2.5million move from Coventry City, wasted a golden chance.
Albion were dominant in the opening exchanges and when midfielder Lee Marshall picked out wing-back Igor Balis the Slovakian international whipped in a cross that Hughes fired narrowly wide.
Van der Sar was by far the busier keeper and he had to be alert to save from Hughes after 20 minutes while he was well placed 19 minutes later when Andy Johnson headed a cross from Marshall goalwards.
But the Dutchman, despite his best efforts, was powerless to prevent Albion taking a deserved lead just three minutes into the second half.
Albion forced two quick corners and it was from the second that they made their breakthrough.
Van der Sar was able to save Moore's first header from Neil Clement's corner but his follow up beat the keeper at his near post.
Albion should then have added a more realistic look to the scoreline eight minutes after Moore struck.
Striker Jason Roberts bustled his way into the Fulham area to tee-up Johnson who somehow managed to balloon his shot over the bar from just eight yards.
Van Der Sar then had the final word - pushing a shot from the halfway line from substitute Bob Taylor over the bar