Clint Dempsey made his return to Craven Cottage today, happily welcomed by Fulham supporters, who showed their appreciation for his five seasons spent at the club. Unfortunately, the Whites couldn’t mark the American’s return with a win, instead floundering when confronted with Sunderland’s well-worked setpieces and quick counterattacks.
For the first 25 minutes, it looked as though the hosts were going to come out on top. Fulham were putting plenty of pressure on the Black Cats, and in the 7th minute, Vito Mannone had to rescue a close range shot from Dimitar Berbatov, getting on the end of a cross from Adel Taarabt.
Dempsey too, tried to get in on the action, again on the end of a ball from Taarabt. But the attacker’s shot went wide, prompting a counter-attack that set up Sunderland’s first chance of the match.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, the visitors pulled in front. Steve Sidwell fouled Adam Johnson about 25 yards from goal, and the forward stepped up to take the free kick himself. The shot curled in to the top corner of the net and, although David Stockdale was able to get a hand on it, the Fulham keeper couldn’t keep it out.
Fulham’s early spirit seemed broken by the Black Cats’ lead, with the hosts unable to put in another effort on goal. Instead it was Sunderland doubling their lead, off another free kick. This time Johnson sent it back to Ki Sung-Yueng, whose shot wiggled through the Fulham shirts to find the back of the net.
The hosts got themselves back into the match early in the second half. Again, the goal came from a set piece, with Damien Duff sending in the corner. Sidwell was there to nod in, his second in two games and his fifth of the season.
But the goal turned out to be a simple consolation for the hosts. Despite pressure from Fulham as they looked for the equalizer, Sunderland were able to break free with a perfect counterattack. Jozy Altidore, on just a few minutes before, slid the ball over to Ki, who set up Johnson for his second.
Sunderland didn’t stop there, however. In the 85th minute, Philippe Senderos brought Altidore down inside the area. Johnson stepped up to take the resulting penalty, sending Stockdale the wrong way while completing his hattrick.
Fulham: Stockdale; Riether, Senderos, Amorebieta, Riise; Duff (Dejagah 68), Parker, Sidwell, Dempsey (Bent 79); Taarabt (Kasami 63); Berbatov
Goals: Sidwell 52'
Sunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, Alonso, Brown, O’Shea, Cattermole, Colback, Ki, Johnson (Celustka 87), Borini (Larsson 75), Fletcher (Altidore 66)
Goals: Johnson 29',69', 85'; Ki 41'