Sunderland Vs Fulham: sunderland vs fulham – Raul Jimenez double and Iwobi seal 3-1

Fulham ended a three-game losing streak as Raul Jimenez scored twice and Alex Iwobi finished a swift counter in the match billed as sunderland vs fulham at the Stadium of Light. The 3-1 victory left Fulham tenth in the Premier League and Sunderland a comfortable twelfth.

Sunderland Vs Fulham match overview

Raul Jimenez scored twice to inflict Sunderland's second consecutive home defeat as Fulham ran out deserved 3-1 victors. Fulham became only the second side to emerge as winners at the Stadium of Light since Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League. Sunderland had been on a defiant 12-game unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light until Liverpool visited a fortnight ago and have now succumbed to a second home loss in as many outings, punished for a series of uncharacteristic mistakes.

How the goals unfolded

The opener arrived when Jimenez nodded Alex Iwobi's corner beyond Robin Roefs, completely unmarked. Seven minutes after the opener Jimenez rolled in a calm penalty that had been won by Calvin Bassey and awarded after a VAR review. Those two Fulham goals looked set to earn all three points before a clumsy Ryan Sessegnon challenge gifted Enzo Le Fee a chance to convert from the spot, and he did so emphatically. The reprieve lasted only briefly: Iwobi scored Fulham's third on the counter, a breakaway engineered by Harry Wilson and finished wonderfully by Iwobi from a tight angle. It was only the third time in his Premier League career that Alex Iwobi has both scored and assisted in the same game.

Jiménez’s form and background

Raúl Jiménez (also written Raul Jimenez in other reports) displayed both a headed finish and the composure from the spot. It was noted that Raúl Jiménez will turn 35 in May yet remains as vital to Marco Silva's team as ever. It is now approaching six years since his career was placed in serious jeopardy by a skull fracture, a fact underlined when his latest two goals — a second-half header and a penalty — sank Sunderland.

Manager and player reactions

On the win the post-match remarks began: "A big win. We knew it was going to be another crucial game for us. It's very important because we came from some not good results. We wanted to bounce back. " The comments continued: "It's been difficult for all teams to play against Sunderland, it's no coincidence they were the only team unbeaten [at home] before they play Liverpool. They make life so difficult for the opposition side, with the extra player from the stands. We had to keep the aggression. In the second half we were clinical, we prepare for these moments. The game was more settled after that. We handled the pressure very well, the stadium is buzzing after they score and then we score the third goal in an incredible moment. Top finishing from Alex [Iwobi]. A big fight. We want to be in a different position. A big three points. "

Sunderland's manager offered a stark assessment: "It's a tough day, " Le Bris said. "We couldn't find the right way to express our quality. We got too sloppy to impose our ideas. It was a tight game but we weren't good enough. We have to find solutions rather than searching for excuses. We have to show our character. "

Tactical notes, signings and squad ratings

Part of Sunderland's balance concerns related to two January signings used as touchline‑hugging wingers: Angulo and Jocelin. Angulo, an Ecuador international, was signed from Anderlecht. Jocelin arrived from Maccabi Netanya where he had failed to make a single first‑team appearance and spent most of his two years on loan in Israel's second tier. The home side also saw clearcut chances missed by Romaine Mundle and Nilson Angulo.

Match ratings were published for both starting XIs and subs. Sunderland: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Hume, Sadiki, Jocelin, Diarra, Le Fee, Angulo, Brobbey. Subs: Geertruida, Mundle, Isidor, Mayenda, Xhaka. Fulham: Leno, Sessegnon, Bassey, Andersen, Tete, Berge, Iwobi, Kevin, Smith Rowe, Wilson, Jimenez. Subs: Bobb, Muniz, Cuenca (n/a), Cairney (n/a), Castagne (n/a). Player of the Match: Raul Jimenez.

Racism statements and wider reactions

Off the field, Wolves and Sunderland issued statements condemning online racist abuse aimed at their players. Wolves condemned racist abuse aimed at their Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare on social media following the player's penalty miss and republished specific posts that included references to Arokodare as a monkey. Wolves said: "Wolves are disgusted by numerous instances of racist abuse, from multiple perpetrators. There is no place for racism – in football, online, or anywhere in society. We condemn this abhorrent and unlawful behaviour in the strongest possible terms. Tolu has our full and unwavering support. No player should be subjected to such hatred simply for doing their job. We stand firmly alongside him, and alongside all footballers who are forced to endure this abuse from anonymous accounts acting with apparent impunity. " The club added that it has "reported the posts to the relevant platforms". Arokodare later posted on X: "It's still unbelievable to me that we're playing in a time where people have so much freedom to communicate such racism without any consequences. "

Sunderland said they were working with authorities to identify those responsible for "vile online racist abuse" directed at Romaine Mundle and stated: "These individuals do not represent Sunderland AFC, our values, or our community - and they are not welcome on Wearside. " Kick It Out described it as "an appalling weekend" and posted: "Action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behaviour, and nor should anyone else. "

Fulham's win moved them into the Premier League's top half, displacing Newcastle, while Sunderland remain in a comfortable twelfth place and are surely already assured of their place in the top flight for next season.