Johnson struck the opener after just three minutes but was forced from the pitch midway through the second half following an outrageous body-check that sent the England striker sprawling.

The incident marred an otherwise successful night for Fulham who established a comfortable lead for the second leg with further goals from Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora.

New signing Damien Duff, who joined from Newcastle on Tuesday, made his debut from the bench for the last 15 minutes and had a hand in Zamora’s goal.

It was a classy finish by Zamora – his third in four games – with the former West Ham marksman also setting up Johnson’s opener in another fine display that suggests he was right to reject a summer move to Hull.

Vitaliy Grishin ensured Amkar, who sit 13th out of 16 in the Russian Premier League, got on the scoresheet with 15 minutes to go and the goal may shape manager Roy Hodgson’s plans for the second leg.

Only three minutes were on the clock when Fulham took the lead through Johnson, though an inspired pass from Zamora was the highlight of the move.

Dempsey put Zamora into space down the left where he delivered a perfect curling ball to the onrushing Johnson who pounced on the simple tap-in.

Amkar captain Martin Kushev missed a solid chance amid some encouraging play from the Russian visitors, who were content to keep possession for long spells.

Harried at every turn, Fulham had little space to operate in and were being pinned back for long spells.

In a carbon copy of the opening goal, Zamora threaded a long, accurate pass to Johnson but this time defender Belorukov reacted in time and was able to intercept.

Only last-gasp intervention from Zakhary Sirakov prevented the Cottagers from extending their lead as he athletically headed a goalbound Dempsey effort over the crossbar.

Dempsey was given too much room on the edge of the area, enabling the American to pick his spot and curl a shot into the top left corner.

The goal failed to dampen Amkar’s spirits as they peppered Fulham’s penalty area with balls and then forced the departure of Johnson.

Duff was brought on and had an immediate impact, crossing to substitute Erik Nevland to instigate Fulham’s third.

The Norway striker back headed into the path of Zamora who buried the ball with a blistering shot that gave Narubin no chance.

Vitaliy Grishin then drove home a hard left foot shot to pull one back for Amkar to claim a crucial away goal.