Russian striker Pogrebnyak, who joined the Londoners on a short-term deal from Stuttgart on transfer deadline day, only began training with Fulham on Thursday after finally completing the paperwork on his work permit.

"I was pleased with Pavel," Jol said in his post-match press conference.

"We always have to wait and see how somebody will do when they come from abroad. It was his first time over here but he scored a goal, which was a big boost. In the first 10 minutes he realised it was a different league. After that he coped with it.

"It was a brave decision to come here. Most players ask for a permanent deal. He didn't. That is what I want – players when I approach them that want to play for us. He said, 'Ok, I will play for the next four or five months and then we will wait and see'."

The Russia international has taken over from Bobby Zamora - now at Queens Park Rangers - as the club's senior centre-forward.

"He was keen to start. We don't have a lot of number nines at this club, although Clint (Dempsey) could play in his position. We had somebody over with him during the process of getting his work permit. He worked well and was fit," he said.

The Fulham manager was delighted that his team weathered a late assault from Stoke to claim all three points.

"In the first half we played in a style I would like us to play. We scored two very good goals and I was happy with Moussa Dembele in central midfield," he said.

"In the second half they really tested us. I have to say it was an unbelievable style you have to play against but we stuck to the challenge. It is always difficult when a team like Stoke scores a goal. But we could have scored a third goal in the final minute. This was a big win."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis had a different view of the Russian striker's impact on the contest, stating that he should have been sent off for a challenge on Wilson Palacios.

"Last week we had Robert Huth sent off for a challenge where he is going in and has pulled his two feet away and had both feet facing the ground," Pulis said in his post-match press conference.

"We have seen a challenge today from the Russian lad on Palacios where he catches Wilson on the knee. The referee didn't see it. Kevin Friend, the fourth official, stood where we were and it was a very poor challenge.

"The kid doesn't even get a yellow card. The inconsistency in respect of incidents this season is really, really poor.

"Like I say, I am really disappointed. Last week we had a player sent off. This week, for a worse challenge, and, I think you will watch and agree, the lad doesn't even get a yellow card."