Hull City were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at Fulham on Monday night as they remained in the Premier League's bottom three.
Not even the return of Jimmy Bullard to Craven Cottage as a second half substitute could inspire the Tigers as their performance got what it deserved.
The City side showed just one change to the one that started against Wigan Athletic.
Kamel Ghilas replaced the injured Nick Barmby.
Barmby's absence meant the captain's armband was passed to Kevin Kilbane.
Bullard started on the bench against his former club.
Fulham were without striker Andrew Johnson so City's summer target Bobby Zamora was partnered by Diomansy Kamara up front.
City made a decent enough start as Stephen Hunt's strong run down the left wing troubled the home side while at the other end, Danny Murphy saw a shot charged down.
Andy Dawson's eleventh-minute free kick was flicked on by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, but John Pantsil produced a superb piece of defending to prevent the ball reaching the unmarked Hunt.
Fulham then began to apply some pressure and Kamara's inviting ball in found Zamora, but he couldn't get a shot on target from close range.
The home side's first effort on target came from Damien Duff in the 25th minute, but his shot from distance was comfortably dealt with by Boaz Myhill.
Myhill had to produce a better save from the same player seven minutes later, the City keeping getting down at the near post to push away the Irishman's effort.
On the day before his 31st birthday, Dawson received an early card when he was shown the game's first yellow on 37 minutes for hauling down Duff, who was orchestrating Fulham from midfield.
Paul Konchesky was booked moments later for a foul on Ghilas.
Fulham took the lead just before half time.
Myhill again beat away Duff's shot, but this time the ball fell for the onrushing Zamora who did well to head home.
TV replays showed that Zamora appeared to be offside when Duff's shot came in, but the goal was allowed to stand.
Half Time: Fulham 1-0 Tigers
City made an unconvincing start to the second half as Fulham looked to hassle them at every opportunity.
That brought about the introduction of Bullard on 58 minutes, in place of Ghilas, and he was given a less than warm reception by the home fans.
His first touch drew a foul from Kamara, who barged the midfielder in the back.
Fulham doubled their lead on 64 minutes.
Zamora beat the offside trap and crossed low for Kamara who finished at the far post.
The home side almost added a third moments later, but Clint Dempsey dragged a shot just wide from the edge of the box.
City's second change saw Jozy Altidore replace Hunt.
Zamora should have made it three in the 73rd minute, but he volleyed tamely at Myhill after Duff's shot had been charged down.
Altidore went close to pulling a goal back in the final minute, but Konchesky got back help put the ball just over the bar.
At the other end, Zamora was denied a second by Myhill's fine save.
Tigers (4-1-4-1) Boaz Myhill; Paul McShane, Ibrahima Sonko, Kevin Kilbane [captain], Andy Dawson; Kamil Zayatte; Kamel Ghilas (Bullard 58), Dean Marney, Geovanni, Stephen Hunt (Altidore 69); Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Mendy 81).
Subs: Tony Warner, Steven Mouyokolo, Seyi Olofinjana, Jimmy Bullard, Peter Halmosi, Bernard Mendy, Jozy Altidore.
Bookings: Dawson 37.
Fulham (4-4-2) Mark Schwarzer; John Pantsil, Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes, Paul Konchesky; Clint Dempsey, Chris Baird, Danny Murphy [captain] (Greening 60), Damien Duff (Gera 84); Diomansy Kamara (Nevland 87), Bobby Zamora.
Subs: Pascal Zuberbuhler, Stephen Kelly, Erik Nevland, Zoltan Gera, Bjorn Helge Riise, Chris Smalling, Jonathan Greening.
Bookings: Konchesky 38.
