The 1-0 win over CSKA Sofia last night, courtesy of Zoltan Gera's header, means there is no room for error on December 16 if Fulham are to qualify from Group E.

Chris Smalling was given 90 minutes against CSKA, while Damien Duff, Aaron Hughes and Clint Dempsey started on the bench, with Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash against Sunderland in mind.

"The Premier League is the major concern and the Europa League comes second to that," Hodgson said.

"I don't think the fans will hold anything against us for our performances in this competition. They know when we go to Basle we will be doing our very best.

"We are still trying to do the best we can, the players will be trying hard to get us through and that was evident against CSKA, personified by people like Simon Davies, Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora."

Before Gera's 15th-minute winner, Danny Murphy missed a penalty on his return to action after six weeks out with a knee injury.

"He's our penalty taker," Hodgson said. "It was the first missed since I've been at the club. It wasn't a mistake to let him take it."

CSKA rallied in the second half, possibly inspired by coach Luboslav Penev being in the dugout after missing the first half.

Penev was named on the teamsheet for the visitors after making the late trip to London when a ban on him leaving Bulgaria, for a debt owed, was lifted.

"All credit to CSKA, they had nothing to lose in the last 20 minutes and brought talented players on," added Hodgson, who will assess the damage to Simon Davies' leg injury today.

"When you make changes it makes it difficult for players.

"It was foolish to miss a penalty but there were other missed chances and the game could have been dead and buried.

"I'm very pleased that we showed the strength of character to stand up to that."

Penev confirmed he was late to the ground and felt his side could have had a penalty in the second half when Stephen Kelly appeared to handle.

"I arrived 15 minutes before half-time and remained in the tunnel until the break," Penev said.

"The most important thing is that I arrived during the game and was close to my assistants and my team.

"I was told about the first 30 minutes, they were fast forgotten and we outplayed Fulham in the second half. This is how I would like my team to play always.

"We deserved a goal and at least a point after creating five or six opportunities. Maybe we should have had a penalty too."