Match Report
Sunderland (0) 1-3 (0) Fulham
Premier League Match Day 27 25/26 at Craven Cottage
Sunday 22nd February 2026 KO: 14:00
Referee:
Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)
Live on Sky Sports Premier League
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A clinical brace from Raúl Jiménez and composed finish from Alex Iwobi earned Fulham a fine 3-1 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
After a tightly contested but goalless first-half, our number seven broke the deadlock with a header and a penalty to put us firmly in control.
The Black Cats briefly threatened a comeback with a spot-kick of their own, but Iwobi struck on the counter to ensure our long journey home would be a happy one.
In place of the injured Samuel Chukwueze, Kevin was handed a start after his goal in last week’s FA Cup victory at Stoke. The XI was otherwise unchanged from our previous Premier League outing against Manchester City, although Antonee Robinson was absent from the squad.
On a sunny Wearside afternoon — albeit with a bite in the air — the contest took time to ignite, with little of note in the early exchanges. Fulham fashioned the first opening on 17 minutes when Kevin, linking neatly with Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi, flashed a fierce drive narrowly wide.
Sunderland threatened sporadically and pressed our back line well. When Jocelin Ta Bi’s corner dropped invitingly for Lutsharel Geertruida, Joachim Andersen had to react sharply to charge down the RB Leipzig loanee’s effort.
We responded with another promising move as Emile Smith Rowe threaded Ryan Sessegnon through on goal. The left-back shifted onto his right foot and curled an effort just beyond the far post.
With ten minutes of the half remaining, Kevin shrugged off his marker on the left before Harry Wilson’s cross was diverted behind by Trai Hume. At the other end, Noah Sadiki tried his luck from distance, but it was comfortably gathered by Bernd Leno.
There was a setback for Marco Silva moments before the interval, as Kevin — who had been one of our liveliest outlets — hobbled off after a challenge near the touchline. Oscar Bobb was introduced in his place.
Sunderland began the second period strongly and after Geertruida dispossessed Sessegnon and fed Romaine Mundle, Fulham were relieved to see the forward drag his effort wide.
However, the breakthrough arrived at the other end. When Wilson was freed down the right and his ball was nodded down by Raúl, Iwobi’s strike had to be deflected behind for a corner by Hume. From that corner, Raúl rose highest to nod in the opener.
We were given the chance to double that lead not long after, as Calvin Bassey’s shirt was pulled in the box. The penalty was correctly awarded following a VAR review, and Raúl showed expert nerve to stutter his run-up and send Robin Roefs the wrong way.
As the home supporters became increasingly agitated, their team almost reduced the deficit. Nilson Angulo had plenty of space at the far post but blazed over the crossbar.
Régis Le Bris’ side did pull one back with 15 minutes remaining. Dan Ballard went down under the challenge of Sessegnon, and Enzo Le Fee powered the spot-kick past Leno.
But as Sunderland pushed for an equaliser, Fulham were able to punish them on the break. Wilson drove forward and waited until the perfect moment to feed Iwobi, whose delicate finish made the result safe with five minutes left.
There were nine added minutes for Marco’s men to see out, but they did so with relative ease, controlling the closing stages and sending their travelling fans home happy.
Sunderland: Roefs, Mukiele (Geertruida 12), Ballard, Alderete, Hume, Sadiki, Bi (Mundle 39), Diarra (Xhaka 71), Le Fee, Angulo (Mayenda 70), Brobbey (Isidor 70)
Unused substitutes: Talbi, Rigg, O'Nien, Ellborg
Goals:
Le Fee pen 76 (EMPHATIC PENALTY!
Leno gets a finger on it - but he was never keeping out that strike from the Sunderland midfielder.
The last penalty he took was a panenka gone wrong.
Correctly, he chose to depart from that method. We are set up for a huge final 15/20 minutes here. )
Yellow Card: Brobbey (f,60)
Fulham: Leno, Tete (Castagne 88), Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon, Iwobi (Cuenca 88), Berge, Wilson, Smith Rowe (Cairney 88), Kevin (Bobb 46), Jimenez (R Muniz 65)
Unused substitutes: Reed, Lecomte, King, Diop
Goals:
Jimenez 54 (JIMENEZ GIVES FULHAM THE LEAD!
Sunderland will be raging that the Fulham striker is so free to head in from this Iwobi corner.
It is a familiar foe for them as well. Jimenez scored the winner in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
It's taken a while but Fulham have taken the lead. Marco Silva looks delighted.)
Jimenez pen 61 (HE MAKES NO MISTAKE!
Arguably the Premier League's best penalty taker delivers a characteristically cool finish from the spot.
He sends Roefs the wrong way and fires into the bottom left corner for his second goal of the day.
What a scoreline for Fulham, who could become just the second side to win at Sunderland in the Premier League this season.)
Iwobi 85 (WHAT A GOAL ON THE COUNTER!
That should be the game. It's the best goal of the game without question.
A tremendous surging run from Wilson on the break after Sunderland see a cross into the box cleared.
His pass into Iwobi is perfectly weighted into the box and the midfielder just lifts his finish over Roefs with his left foot.
Class all around from Fulham, who have been the better side. This win will take them up to 10th and above Sunderland.)
Yellow Card: Jiménez (f,41)
Referee:
Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)
Attendance: 47,222
Fulham are next in action against Tottenham at Craven Cottage on Sunday 1st of March at 14.00. Live on Sky Sports Premier League.