Recap

Sunderland 1-3 Fulham: Jimenez Brace Fires Cottagers to Vital Victory

Fulham secured a crucial 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on February 22, 2026, ending their three-game losing streak in the Premier League. Raul Jimenez’s early second-half brace, including a header and a penalty, set the tone, with Alex Iwobi’s late finish sealing the points after Enzo Le Fee pulled one back for the hosts from the spot.

Match Overview and Final Score

The Premier League clash between Sunderland and Fulham, part of Round 27 in the 2025/26 season, unfolded at the Stadium of Light with an attendance of 47,222 fans. Sunderland, sitting 11th with 36 points from 26 games (9 wins, 9 draws, 8 losses), hosted Fulham, who were 13th with 34 points (10 wins, 4 draws, 12 losses) but climbed to 37 points post-match. The final score of Sunderland 1-3 Fulham marked Fulham’s first win in four attempts against Sunderland in recent head-to-heads, where Fulham had won 6, drawn 5, and lost 4 overall.

Fulham entered the game on a rocky patch, having lost their last three league outings, including a 3-0 thrashing at Manchester City. Just two points behind Sunderland pre-match, Marco Silva’s side desperately needed points to stay in the European chase. Sunderland, meanwhile, had a mixed recent form with two wins in their last five, but defensive vulnerabilities were evident.

First Half: Cautious Start with Few Clear Chances

The opening 45 minutes were tense and tactical, with neither side dominating possession significantly. Key incidents included events around the 12th, 39th, 41st, and 45+1 minutes, though no goals materialized. Sunderland’s Robin Roefs was called into action early, while Fulham’s Bernd Leno remained largely untested. The half ended 0-0, setting up a pivotal second period.

Sunderland lined up with a backline featuring Roefs in goal, Hume, Alderete, Ballard, and Mukiele, midfield anchored by Sadiki, Angulo, and Le Fée, and forwards Diarra, Bi, and Brobbey. Substitutes like Melker Ellborg, Chemsdine Talbi, Chris Rigg, and Luke O’Nien waited on the bench. Fulham’s setup allowed them to exploit set-pieces later.

Second Half Explosion: Jimenez Takes Control

Fulham exploded into life after the restart. In the 54th minute, Raul Jimenez rose highest to head home Alex Iwobi’s corner kick, breaking the deadlock and sending the traveling fans into rapture. This goal snapped Fulham’s scoring drought and shifted momentum decisively.

Just seven minutes later, in the 61st minute, Jimenez doubled his and Fulham’s lead from the penalty spot, converting coolly past Roefs after a Sunderland foul in the box. The Mexican striker’s brace within eight minutes turned the game on its head, leaving Sunderland shell-shocked.

Sunderland responded with urgency, making substitutions around the 65th and 70th minutes, including bringing on Chris Rigg and Luke O’Nien. The pressure paid off in the 76th minute when Enzo Le Fee hammered home a penalty for the Black Cats, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and igniting hopes of a comeback.

However, Fulham’s counter-attacking threat proved decisive. In the 85th minute, Alex Iwobi capitalized on Sunderland’s open defense, lifting a clever finish over the advancing Roefs to restore the two-goal cushion. The game wound down with Sunderland pushing forward, but a late Harry Wilson shot saved by Roefs in the 90+9th minute was their final chance. Full time arrived at 90+10, confirming Fulham’s 3-1 triumph.

Standout Players and Key Performances

Raul Jimenez was the undisputed star, bagging a brace early in the second half to fire Fulham back into the top half of the table. His header showcased aerial prowess, while the penalty conversion highlighted his composure under pressure. Jimenez’s goals ended Fulham’s mini-slump and boosted their survival and European aspirations.

Alex Iwobi shone with an assist for Jimenez’s opener and a goal of his own in the 85th minute, his clever chip over Roefs proving the killer blow. Iwobi’s vision and finishing were pivotal in exploiting Sunderland’s desperation.

For Sunderland, Enzo Le Fee provided a momentary spark with his 76th-minute penalty, hammering it past Leno. Goalkeeper Robin Roefs made crucial saves, including one from Harry Wilson late on, but couldn’t prevent the three goals. Captain Luke O’Nien, introduced as a sub, added leadership but couldn’t salvage a point.

Fulham’s defensive resilience, led by Bernd Leno, held firm despite Sunderland’s late push. Marco Silva’s tactics, emphasizing set-pieces and counters, paid dividends amid contract uncertainty rumors.

Key Statistics and Trends

Fulham dominated key metrics post-match. They scored three goals away from home, ending a run where both teams scored in 8 of their last 10 games. Sunderland managed just one goal, aligning with their recent form of 1.0 goals per game average over five matches, compared to Fulham’s 1.4.

Head-to-head trends favored Fulham slightly, with both teams scoring in 3 of the last 4 encounters. Fulham’s away form had been poor (lost 3 of last 4), but this win halted that. Possession and shots weren’t detailed, but Fulham’s efficiency from set-pieces (corner goal) and penalties (two converted) stood out.

Team	Goals	Scorers	Position Pre-Match	Points Pre-Match
Sunderland	1	Le Fée (76′ pen)	11th	36
Fulham	3	Jimenez (54′, 61′ pen), Iwobi (85′)	13th	34

Recent form underscored the stakes: Sunderland’s last five yielded two wins (0-1, 0-1, 3-0 losses, 3-1 win, 1-2 loss), while Fulham mirrored with two wins but recent 3-0 and 1-2 defeats.

Post-Match Implications and Quotes

This result propelled Fulham to 37 points, leapfrogging Sunderland into the top half and keeping European hopes alive, just as they were two points adrift pre-kickoff. Sunderland’s 36 points leave them mid-table, with defensive lapses exposed.

While direct quotes from managers are unavailable in reports, the narrative captures Marco Silva’s relief: his side snapped a three-game skid despite contract talks. Sunderland fans’ frustration was palpable after another home disappointment.

Goal timelines highlight the drama: 54′ (Jimenez header), 61′ (Jimenez pen), 76′ (Le Fee pen), 85′ (Iwobi). Substitutions at 65′, 70′, 71′, and 88′ reflected Sunderland’s fightback attempts.

Broader Context and Fan Reaction

The match, kicking off at 2:00 PM GMT, drew widespread coverage, with highlights available on platforms like Sky Sports and NBC. YouTube reviews from pundits like Connor Bromley dissected Fulham’s turnaround.

Fulham’s win trends with their both-teams-to-score record (80% last 10 games), while Sunderland’s home form dipped. This sets up intriguing upcoming fixtures, with Fulham eyeing consistency and Sunderland needing defensive solidity.

In a season of tight mid-table battles, Jimenez’s heroics could prove a turning point. Fulham’s counter prowess and set-piece threat overwhelmed Sunderland, who must regroup quickly. The Premier League’s competitiveness shines through such results, where momentum shifts dramatically.