Fulham 1-0 Sunderland: Raul Jimenez Scores Late Win

At a glance

• Raul Jimenez scores late winner
• Fulham control game before making breakthrough
• Fulham move away from relegation zone
• Sunderland slip to sixth in table

Raul Jimenez scored a deserved late winner as Fulham beat Sunderland in the Premier League amid driving rain at Craven Cottage.

The Mexican’s goal came from Fulham’s 18th shot of the game as their dominance of chances and possession looked set to go to waste.

However, a fine cross from substitute winger Samuel Chukwueze – impressive after replacing ineffective club record signing Kevin in the second half – was turned home from close range by Jimenez.

The quality of play was generally poor throughout, but Fulham were rewarded for their work-rate with only their second win in seven league games.

They moved up to 14th in the table – three points above the bottom three – while Sunderland slipped two places to sixth.

Kevin missed the clearest first-half chance when he headed straight at Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs from six yards out.

Sunderland nearly made them pay 15 seconds after the break when Enzo le Fee fired narrowly wide, but it was a rare chance on a disappointing day for the visitors.

Fulham analysis: Home comforts help Silva

Fulham have quietly gone about having a poor season, but their home record could be enough to avert a relegation battle.

Marco Silva’s side have picked up 13 of their 14 points this season at Craven Cottage, and they had 70% possession in the first half hour and 57% across the game.

Shots rained down on the Sunderland goal as heavily as the rain on the banks of the River Thames.

Alex Iwobi attempted an overhead kick from the edge of the penalty area, while Harry Wilson – fresh from a hat-trick for Wales during the international break – came close on a few occasions.

But Kevin, the only big-money signing Silva was able to make in the summer, was particularly wasteful and guilty of bad touches before being taken off just past the hour.

His replacement, AC Milan loanee Chukwueze, was much more direct in his running and accurate with his crossing, and set up the deserved winner.

Silva has reportedly been offered a contract extension with his current deal expiring this summer. This win could grease the wheels.

Sunderland analysis: Blunt Black Cats lack creativity

Sunderland would happily have taken a point, but Regis le Bris’ men were second best throughout.

They had only four shots – their lowest total in a league game this campaign – compared to 24 for the hosts.

For a long while Sunderland were indebted to Roefs. While Silva has complained about Fulham’s lack of new faces this season, the Belgian must rank as one of the best arrivals for this campaign.

Roefs made a particularly fine one-handed save from Kevin in the first half and comfortably dealt with everything else aimed at his goal – until Jimenez beat him to the ball late on.

Sunderland are now without a win in three league games, their worst run since returning to the top flight in the summer.

It is hardly reason for Le Bris to panic, but perhaps it is cause to rethink Sunderland’s 5-4-1 formation, which is effective when stalling the biggest teams but leaves them low on creativity in games like this.

What’s next for these teams?

Fulham travel to Tottenham and Sunderland entertain Bournemouth on 29 November.

Player of the match

Number: 1 B. Leno

Average rating 7.66

Number: 1 B. Leno

Average Rating: 7.66

Number: 19 S. Chukwueze

Average Rating: 7.53

Number: 7 R. Jiménez

Average Rating: 7.29

Number: 32 E. Smith Rowe

Average Rating: 7.18

Number: 3 C. Bassey

Average Rating: 7.12

Number: 8 H. Wilson

Average Rating: 7.12

Number: 5 J. Andersen

Average Rating: 7.08

Number: 30 R. Sessegnon

Average Rating: 7.03

Number: 2 K. Tete

Average Rating: 6.83

Number: 22 Kevin

Average Rating: 6.83

Number: 24 J. King

Average Rating: 6.67

Number: 17 A. Iwobi

Average Rating: 6.62

Number: 16 S. Berge

Average Rating: 6.54

Number: 21 T. Castagne

Average Rating: 6.32

Number: 6 H. Reed

Average Rating: 6.12

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

Source: BBC