Pajtim Kasami’s second-half goal was enough to secure a first win of the season for the Cottagers at a windswept Motspur Park.

Fulham included first-team regulars Philippe Senderos and Giorgos Karagounis in their starting XI as the pair continue their comeback from injury but it was City who should have taken the lead after just four minutes

Skipper Alex Nimely skipped inside two challenges before firing in a shot that keeper David Stockdale comfortably saved.

Marco Lopes was City’s best performer in a first-half that saw the teams go in level at 0-0. Nimely went close again on 50 minutes when he headed against the bar with Stockdale beaten.

But it was Fulham who finally broke the deadlock ten minutes later when Kasami had the simplest of chances and he made no mistake from close range.

Lopes and Emyr Huws attempted long-range efforts as City searched for an equaliser, but it wasn’t to be and former Blue Kit Symons’ boys held on for a valuable win and condemn the Blues to a first loss in the league.

City: Johansen, Facey,  Kennedy, Plummer, Helan, Henshall, Huws, Evans, Lopes, Pozo (Cole 69) Nimely Unused subs: Leigh, Lawlor, Walter, Glendon