Fulham 3-0 West Brom: Berba defies stereotype to demolish Baggies

Berbatov marked his full Fulham debut with an exquisite finish. Good work from the fast improving Alexander Kacaniklic on the left preceded the former Manchester United star sweetly picking his spot with a right-footed curling shot.

The task for the visitors was made tougher when Peter Odemwingie inexplicably opted to kick Sascha Riether after the German robbed him of the ball right under the nose of fourth official Howard Webb. The red card was quickly branded.

Of the incident, manager Steve Clarke said: "We are all human. He felt there should have been a free-kick against him. Now he'll have a three-game ban and will take the punishment."

Fulham were now in the ascendancy. Kacaniklic again set up Berbatov, but this time the striker sent his header wide.

Billy Jones brought down Kacaniklic on half-time and Berbatov nonchalantly stroked home the penalty.

Berbatov was running the show, tracking back, linking play and leading from the front - far from the frustrating lazy player he's often accused of being.

Jol joked: "I think he did more than he ever did in his life," adding: "I'm not surprised. Dimitar was top scorer even when he was not playing at Manchester United. He always does enough."

The second half was subdued. Romelu Lukaku threatened occasionally for West Brom, while an inspired Ben Foster stopped Berbatov getting a hat-trick. Yet Fulham got a third goal at the death with Steve Sidwell scoring after a goalmouth scramble.