Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench to provide the assist for Raul Jimenez’s late winner as Fulham beat Sunderland 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The AC Milan loanee, who replaced ineffective club record signing Kevin in the 64th minute, was impressive with his direct running and accurate crossing, setting up the deserved winner amid driving rain at Craven Cottage.
A fine cross from Chukwueze was turned home from close range by Jimenez, giving Fulham only their second win in seven league games.
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.
The victory moved Fulham 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. Chukwueze’s impact was in stark contrast to Kevin’s wastefulness.
Chukwueze’s compatriot Alex Iwobi attempted an overhead kick from the edge of the penalty area earlier in the match and was substituted in the 89th minute.
Fulham’s home record could be enough to avert a relegation battle as they endure a poor campaign after last season’s highs. Marco Silva’s side have picked up 13 of their 14 points this season at Craven Cottage.
Shots rained down on the Sunderland goal as heavily as the rain on the banks of the River Thames, with Harry Wilson, fresh from a hat-trick for Wales during the international break, coming close on a few occasions.
