17 hours ago
17
Once he has dried out, Marco Silva might like to wrap Raul Jimenez in cotton wool for a few days.
The Mexican, back from a goal for his country in Texas in midweek settled a rain-sodden contest against Sunderland with a sliding finish in the 85th minute.
It was a victory that looked likely to elude Fulham for most of the game. They dominated the ball and peppered Robin Roef’s goal with 24 shots.
Rarely did they extend the Sunderland keeper though until Jimenez pounced with time running out, sliding across a slippery surface to reach a terrific low cross by substitute Samuel Chukwueze.
The problem for Silva is that 34-year-old Jimenez is the only centre forward he has available, with Rodrigo Muniz ruled out until February after hamstring surgery.
Next week, Fulham travel across London to face Tottenham and then they are at home to Manchester City.
Raul Jimenez provided the cutting edge by scoring a late winner for Fulham against Sunderland
Jimenez, Fulham's only available centre forward, slid in to score in the closing minutes
The fixtures are difficult, hence the perceived value of beating Sunderland, who thought they had shown enough defensive resilience for a third successive draw only to be sunk late.
Two points from three games feels so much worse as the Premier League’s rising pace threaten to engulf Regis Le Bris after an impressive start on their return to the Premier League.
Sunderland defended brilliantly, with defenders throwing bodies in front of shots but could not deny Fulham deserved to win.
Harry Wilson, fresh form a hat trick for Wales, sparked a Fulham flurry in the first half when he burst clear on the right, chopped onto his left foot and curled a short just wide.
Wilson, Josh King and Kevin flickered in support of Jimenez. Robin Roefs made two saves in quick succession to frustrate Kevin. And another to deny Sander Berge from distance.
Sunderland’s defensive screen held firm, blocking shots and deflecting efforts wide but they offered very little as a creative force in the first half. Bertrand Traore was the only one to offer any threat, forcing Bernd Leno into two saves.
The pace of the Premier League is threatening to engulf Sunderland after their strong start
Le Bris might contest an incident in the first half when Wilson Isidor tumbled after beating Calvin Bassey to a through ball. Referee Darren England decided it was not a foul and waved play on. In the conditions, it was hard to argue with his call.
The visitors improved in the second half. Enzo Le Fee went close within seconds of the restart after a route move, launched by long ball from Roefs. Le Fee took a touch and flashed a shot across Leno’s goal.
Fulham summoned a strong finish, with Chukwueze making an impact on the left wing when he replaced Kevin. Wilson, Emile Smith Rowe and Ryan Sessegnon all went close before Jimenez made the difference.
