Fulham are out of the Carabao Cup after losing 2-0 to Manchester City.
City youngster Brahim Diaz scored twice but there were some encouraging signs for under pressure Cottagers boss Slavisa Jokanovic despite a fifth straight defeat.
Jokanovic sprung a surprise by naming a strong side at the Etihad in a clear attempt to build some continuity ahead next Monday’s crunch clash with Huddersfield.
Fulham were more compact than they have been in recent weeks and, while the gulf in class between the two side was obvious, they looked more of a team.
Fulham captain Tom Cairney made his first start since August following injury and he linked up well with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Jean Michael Seri in midfield.
It was always going tough against City but restricting the champions to just two goals gives Jokanovic something to build on ahead of the Huddersfield game.
Jokanovic is under growing pressure at Craven Cottage but this game was never going to have any bearing on his future.
He named a strong line-up that also included Ryan Sessegnon, Andre Schurrle and Alexander Mitrovic, and was rewarded with an improved display.
It was one-way traffic from the start and Fulham had their resistance broken after 18 minutes when City went ahead.
Fabian Delph sent a deep cross towards the back post, Vincent Kompany deflected it back to Diaz and his shot deflected off Mitrovic and past Sergio Rico.
Fulham had their backs to the wall and Danilo almost made it two when he struck the outside of the post.
Leroy Sane fired over when he should have done better and City looked dangerous whenever they went forward.
Fulham were fortunate not to fall further behind when Phil Foden headed wide unmarked and Gabriel Jesus shot wide from inside the area.
But Fulham only went in one goal down and they were more organised.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first, with City pushing and Fulham on the back foot.
But Fulham remained resolute until City put the game to bed on 65 minutes when Diaz scored his second.
Rico saved from Jesus but the ball rebounded into the path of Diaz and he thumped home a second.
