Jimenez Strikes Late to Break Sunderland Resistance
In a rain-soaked encounter at Craven Cottage, Raul Jimenez emerged as the hero for Fulham, sliding in to score a dramatic 85th-minute winner against a resilient Sunderland. The Mexican striker, freshly returned from international duty where he also found the net, settled a contest that Fulham had dominated but looked destined to draw.
Fulham's Frustration and Sunderland's Resilience
For the majority of the game, Fulham's victory seemed elusive despite their overwhelming control. They peppered Sunderland's goal with 24 shots, but rarely truly extended goalkeeper Robin Roefs. Harry Wilson, Josh King, and Kevin flickered in attack, with Wilson coming close in the first half after a mazy run and curled effort that went just wide.
Sunderland's defence was magnificent, with players repeatedly throwing their bodies in the way to block shots. Roefs made key saves to deny Kevin twice in quick succession and later kept out a long-range effort from Sander Berge. At the other end, Bertrand Traore offered Sunderland's only notable threat, forcing two saves from Fulham keeper Bernd Leno.
The Deciding Moment and Upcoming Challenges
The breakthrough finally came with time running out. Substitute Samuel Chukwueze made an immediate impact on the left wing, delivering a terrific low cross across the slippery surface. Jimenez read the play perfectly, sliding in to guide the ball home and secure a vital three points for Marco Silva's side.
This victory carries extra significance due to Fulham's impending fixture list. They travel across London to face Tottenham next week before a home clash with Manchester City. The problem for Silva is the lack of options up front; the 34-year-old Jimenez is currently the only available centre-forward after Rodrigo Muniz was ruled out until February following hamstring surgery.
For Sunderland, the late defeat was a cruel blow after a display of immense defensive resilience. Having taken two points from their first three games, the relentless pace of the Premier League is now threatening to engulf Regis Le Bris's team after their promising start to the season.
