Raul Jimenez’s winning goal didn’t come until the 84th minute but there was only ever going to be one result at Craven Cottage, where Fulham beat Sunderland 1-0 on Saturday.
WATCH — Fulham v Sunderland full match replay
The Cottagers out-shout the Black Cats 24-4, 17 of which came from inside the penalty area, and racked up 2.08 xG as a bottom-third attacking side this season (by virtually every metric). The victory sends Fulham (14 points) up to 14th in the Premier League for the time being, having won two of their last three games after losing four straight to heavyweight competition.
Sunderland’s underlying numbers would seem to indicate they are due for some serious regression (the PL’s 4th-lowest xG rarely results in a top-four place in the league table), compounded by a difficult run of games coming up. Regis Le Bris’ side is now set to face Bournemouth, Liverpool, Manchester City (twice), Newcastle, Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur over their next eight games. Sunderland (19 points) sit 6th at the moment, but could fall as far as 9th by weekend’s end.
What’s next?
- Sunderland vs Bournemouth — Saturday, 10 am ET
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham — Saturday, 3 pm ET
Fulham vs Sunderland live updates - by Andy Edwards
Fulham vs Sunderland final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Raul Jimenez (84')
GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Sunderland: Jimenez slides in to break the deadlock (84')
Fulham starting lineup
Leno - Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon - Iwobi, Berge, King - Wilson, Kevin, Jimenez
Sunderland starting linup
Roefs - Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo - Traore, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee - Isidor
How to watch Fulham vs Sunderland live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: Craven Cottage — West London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
Fulham vs Sunderland preview
This is not how it was supposed to happen for Marco Silva’s Cottagers, losers of six of their 11 Premier League outings and authors of just 12 goals in those contests.
Sunderland, meanwhile are living the high life in their first season back in the top flight. Regis Le Bris’ men have beaten Chelsea and drawn Arsenal during an ongoing four-match unbeaten run in the league, and sit fourth with 19 points. That means the Black Cats are closer to the top of the table than they are to 15th-place Fulham. There’s also a subplot swirling as Silva’s contract proceeds in its final year, as Fulham seek to tie down their boss with suitors waiting in the wings.
Fulham team news, focus
OUT: Antonee Robinson (knee), Sasa Lukic (suspension), Rodrigo Muniz (thigh)
Sunderland team news, focus
OUT: Habib Diarra (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Omar Alderete (concussion), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (achilles), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Aji Alese (shoulder),
Fulham vs Sunderland prediction
We keep waiting for the Black Cats’ form to dip and then, as if on cue, Regis Le Bris delivers a tactical twist that puts his men on the road to another surprising result. Silva, however, has been to known to find a weakness and exploit it. Will that be enough for all three points? This game is rife with intrigue. Fulham 2-1 Sunderland.
