Diomansy Kamara gave Fulham the lead from the penalty spot in a first-half that Roy Hodgson's side dominated.
However, Erik Nevland's sending off early in the second-half handed Roma the chance to get back into the game and they took full advantage.
John Arne Riise pulled the Italians level with a deflected shot from 30-yards before Stefano Okaka headed the winner 15 minutes from time.
Fulham's misery was compounded in stoppage time when Paul Konchesky was shown a straight red card as his frustration boiled over and he brought down Rodrigo Taddei.
Hodgson refreshed his line-up with three changes from the weekend win over Liverpool. Midfielders Zoltan Gera and Dickson Etuhu returned, whilst Bjorn Helge Riise lined-up against his brother, ex Liverpool full-back John Arne.
Fulham looked comfortable in the grand surroundings of the Stadio Olimpico and a slick passing move early on allowed Konchesky to pick out Riise in the box, whose shot was blocked by Marco Andreolli.
Roma looked lethargic in possession and Fulham's positive and composed start to the match was rewarded after 20 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Kamara was brought down by Andreolli and it was the French striker who got up to send Doni the wrong way and put Fulham into the lead.
Roma reacted well though and came close to pulling level minutes later as Cicinho curled in an inviting cross from the right that Philippe Mexes headed a yard wide.
Clint Dempsey had an excellent chance to double Fulham’s lead on the half-hour when he was played through by Kamara after a quick break, but the American couldn't get the ball under control, allowing Mexes to clear the danger.
Kamara also had a chance to score before half-time when Paul Konchesky whipped in a cross to the back post, however, the goal scorer failed to test Doni as he headed wide.
Roma finished the half strongly though and had a penalty appeal waved away as Daniel De Rossi's powerful drive hit John Pantsil on the arm, although the Fulham defender had little chance of avoiding the ball.
Both teams were forced to make changes due to injury at half-time with Julio Sergio replacing Doni in the Roma goal and Taddei coming on for Cicinho on the right.
Erik Nevland replaced Kamara upfront for Fulham, however the Norwegian international was on the pitch for less than five minutes as he was shown a straight red card for bringing down De Rossi.
Nevland's tackle was from behind, however the decision looked harsh.
The sending off changed the complexion of the game completely. Roma began to dominate possession with Stefano Guberti supplying crosses from the left which both Marco Cassetti and Julio Baptista failed to find the target with.
Dempsey became completely isolated upfront and as Bobby Zamora prepared to take the field, Roma's pressure finally paid off. Taddei played a corner straight to John Arne Riise, whose 30-yard drive flew past Mark Schwarzer after taking a deflection of his brother Bjorn Helga.
Zamora's introduction looked to have given Fulham a way of retaining the ball, however, Roma took the lead with 15 minutes remaining when Okaka headed in Taddei's cross from the right.
Fulham were reduced to nine men in stoppage time as Konchesky was sent off, leaving Hodgson's side with nothing after a performance that deserved much more.
However, Erik Nevland's sending off early in the second-half handed Roma the chance to get back into the game and they took full advantage.
John Arne Riise pulled the Italians level with a deflected shot from 30-yards before Stefano Okaka headed the winner 15 minutes from time.
Fulham's misery was compounded in stoppage time when Paul Konchesky was shown a straight red card as his frustration boiled over and he brought down Rodrigo Taddei.
Hodgson refreshed his line-up with three changes from the weekend win over Liverpool. Midfielders Zoltan Gera and Dickson Etuhu returned, whilst Bjorn Helge Riise lined-up against his brother, ex Liverpool full-back John Arne.
Fulham looked comfortable in the grand surroundings of the Stadio Olimpico and a slick passing move early on allowed Konchesky to pick out Riise in the box, whose shot was blocked by Marco Andreolli.
Roma looked lethargic in possession and Fulham's positive and composed start to the match was rewarded after 20 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Kamara was brought down by Andreolli and it was the French striker who got up to send Doni the wrong way and put Fulham into the lead.
Roma reacted well though and came close to pulling level minutes later as Cicinho curled in an inviting cross from the right that Philippe Mexes headed a yard wide.
Clint Dempsey had an excellent chance to double Fulham’s lead on the half-hour when he was played through by Kamara after a quick break, but the American couldn't get the ball under control, allowing Mexes to clear the danger.
Kamara also had a chance to score before half-time when Paul Konchesky whipped in a cross to the back post, however, the goal scorer failed to test Doni as he headed wide.
Roma finished the half strongly though and had a penalty appeal waved away as Daniel De Rossi's powerful drive hit John Pantsil on the arm, although the Fulham defender had little chance of avoiding the ball.
Both teams were forced to make changes due to injury at half-time with Julio Sergio replacing Doni in the Roma goal and Taddei coming on for Cicinho on the right.
Erik Nevland replaced Kamara upfront for Fulham, however the Norwegian international was on the pitch for less than five minutes as he was shown a straight red card for bringing down De Rossi.
Nevland's tackle was from behind, however the decision looked harsh.
The sending off changed the complexion of the game completely. Roma began to dominate possession with Stefano Guberti supplying crosses from the left which both Marco Cassetti and Julio Baptista failed to find the target with.
Dempsey became completely isolated upfront and as Bobby Zamora prepared to take the field, Roma's pressure finally paid off. Taddei played a corner straight to John Arne Riise, whose 30-yard drive flew past Mark Schwarzer after taking a deflection of his brother Bjorn Helga.
Zamora's introduction looked to have given Fulham a way of retaining the ball, however, Roma took the lead with 15 minutes remaining when Okaka headed in Taddei's cross from the right.
Fulham were reduced to nine men in stoppage time as Konchesky was sent off, leaving Hodgson's side with nothing after a performance that deserved much more.
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