Fulham produced a clinical second-half display to beat Sunderland 3-1 in the Premier League, condemning the hosts to back-to-back home defeats at the Stadium of Light following their recent loss to Liverpool. The result also ended Fulham’s three-game losing run in the league and saw the visitors climb above the Wearsiders in the table.
Confidence inside the stadium was fragile after Sunderland’s recent setbacks, and it showed in a cagey first half that struggled to find rhythm or quality in the final third. Clear chances were scarce, with just one effort on target between both sides before the interval. Noah Sadiki came closest for the hosts five minutes before the break, but his speculative strike was comfortably handled by Bernd Leno.
Sunderland’s attacking output remained limited, and their afternoon was further disrupted by injuries. Nordi Mukiele and Jocelin Ta Bi were both forced off, while Fulham also suffered a setback when Kevin had to be withdrawn after missing the visitors’ best first-half opportunity, dragging wide from a tight angle.
The game opened up after the restart, and Sunderland were handed a golden chance to take control. Substitute Romaine Mundle found space inside the box but curled wide from close range. That moment proved decisive.
Fulham seized the initiative just after the hour mark through Raúl Jiménez. The forward, whose previous eight goals had either been headers or penalties, followed that pattern again. He rose to meet a corner from Alex Iwobi and guided a precise header past Robin Roefs.
Seven minutes later, Jiménez doubled the advantage from the spot. The penalty was awarded after Calvin Bassey was pulled back by Brian Brobbey inside the area. The Mexican calmly sent Roefs the wrong way to secure his first brace since January 2025 and put Fulham firmly in control.
Sunderland responded with urgency. Nilson Angulo fired over from close range, before the hosts were handed a route back into the match. Daniel Ballard was brought down by Ryan Sessegnon, leading to a second penalty of the afternoon. Enzo Le Fée converted with power beyond Leno’s reach.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished. Fulham struck on the counterattack soon after conceding, with Harry Wilson releasing Iwobi, who showed composure to chip delicately over the advancing Roefs and restore the two-goal cushion.
Sunderland had no response in the closing stages as Fulham saw out the victory. Despite missing out on a clean sheet, the Cottagers will take confidence from recording their first away league win in five matches, while Sunderland must regroup after another setback at home.
