It was a peculiar sight to see Fulham’s players trudging off at full-time accompanied by boos and chants calling for the sacking of manager Martin Jol.

After all, the west Londoners had dominated West Brom for the overwhelming majority of this contest.

Following Steven Sidwell’s first-half opener, they’d had three goals chalked off for offside — one by the finest of margins — and had been denied by the crossbar on another occasion.

There was showboating too, with Dimitar Berbatov, excellent aside from his failure to ink his name on the scoresheet, going close with a beautifully executed bicycle kick.

Yet, as Chris Brunt swung in a corner for the visitors deep into injury-time, it was perhaps inevitable that Gareth McAuley would punish Fulham, who were only a single goal to the good despite their dominance.

McAuley’s header flew into the net and Jol was left fielding questions over his future.

“It’s disappointing to hear the fans chanting ‘Jol out,’ said the Fulham manager. “But I tell the players you cannot fight expectation. It’s not as if we’re bottom of the table. We’re 12th, but if you expect too much you can get a shock.”

Baggies boss Steve Clarke was delighted after seeing his side register their first goal of the season. “There is more to come from us and I felt there were signs we’re going in the right direction.”