Fulham 2-1 Sunderland
Sunderland’s final away game of the season ended in defeat as Fulham came from behind to take all three points at Craven Cottage.
Joel Asoro’s solo effort opened the scoring as the 19-year-old marked his birthday with a goal, and Chris Coleman’s side should have been awarded a penalty on 44 minutes when Ovie Ejaria was tripped in the box.
One minute later, an electric counter attack provided the catalyst for an equaliser, as Ryan Fredericks galloped down the right before picking out Lucas Piazon, who tucked home at the back post.
Fulham pushed forward following the restart but Sunderland weathered the storm, and for the second time in the game they saw penalty appeals waved away when Asoro’s cross struck an arm.
And the Whites took full advantage, as Aleksandar Mitrovic headed home the winner with 15 minutes remaining as Fulham moved back into the top two.
Review all the action below…
PRODUCTION LINE
The 2017-18 season has been a tough one, but the club’s academy products have led the way and once again many of them were involved in Coleman’s matchday squad. George Honeyman, Ethan Robson and Asoro were included in the starting XI, as Josh Maja and 16-year-old Bali Mumba were named on the bench. Elliot Embleton and Luke Molyneux were also part of the squad that made the trip to West London.
OPENING
Fulham’s first sight at goal fell to on-loan Newcastle United man Mitrovic, but the striker was charged down by Robson on the edge of the box and the midfielder confidently tidied up the danger. The Lads responded with their first meaningful foray into opposition territory, but Asoro’s 20-yard strike was deflected well wide, and the Cottagers cleared the resulting corner. Fredericks’ engineered the next opening with 18 minutes played, but Marc Wilson recovered to block the full-back’s cross.
ASORO STRIKES
Fredericks continued to threaten down the left as PFA Young Player of the Year nominee Ryan Sessegnon endured a quite start on the opposite flank, with Fredericks zooming past Wilson again before seeing his effort beaten away by Jason Steele. With 28 minutes played, it was time for one of Sunderland’s speedsters to shine. Asoro picked up Fletcher’s knockdown and turned his marker inside out, and he provided the finish to top it all as a low strike nestled into the corner. Piazon responded with an effort from range, but if whistled just wide of the post.
LEVEL
Fulham were dealt a further blow ahead of the break as Matt Targett was forced off, with Aboubakar Kamara replacing the defender as Sessegnon dropped into the left-back berth. They should have been dealt an even bigger blow on 44 minutes, though, when Ejaria was clearly tripped in the box, but instead they levelled as a blistering counter attack resulted in Piazon bagging from close range. The equaliser injected fresh purpose into the home side’s play, but it remained level at the break thanks to a cracking challenge from Lamine Kone on Tom Cairney inside the box.
BACK UNDERWAY
Sunderland made a change at the interval as Billy Jones was replaced by Adam Matthews, and the Welshman was a busy man early in the second period as the Cottagers pushed forward. After coming off the bench to assist the equaliser, Aboubakar Kamara continued to menace and give Wilson a torrid time, with Steele forced to deny the winger before Mitrovic tested the Black Cats stopper. On 71 minutes, the Lads’ more than justified penalty appeals were waved away for a second time, as the referee waved play on despite Asoro’s cross clearly striking an arm.
LATE WINNER
After a real battling performance, the Lads were undone by a set piece with 15 minutes remaining. Stefan Johansen swung in a deep cross to the back post and Mitrovic planted his header into the ground and beyond Stele. It had to be him. Johansen almost grabbed a third but Steele managed to claw his curling free-kick away from the top corner, but the Lads couldn’t find an equaliser as Fulham maintained their push for automatic promotion.
Fulham: Bettinelli, Fredericks, Odoi, Ream, Targett (Kamara 42), McDonald, Johansen, Cairney (Kalas 90), Piazon (Fonte 74), Mitrovic Sessegnon.
Subs not used: Button, Christie, Norwood, De la Torre.
Sunderland: Steele, Jones (Matthews 45), McNair, Fletcher, O'Shea, Kone, Honeyman, Robson (Maja 85), Asoro, Wilson, Ejaria (McManaman 76).
Subs not used: Lualua, Camp, Clarke-Salter, Mumba.