Sunderland
Fulham
Match Statistics
Confirmed Lineups
- 1 Roefs R.
- 2 Mukiele N.
- 3 Ballard D.
- 4 Alderete O.
- 5 Hume T.
- 6 Sadiki N.
- 7 Bi J. T.
- 8 Diarra H.
- 9 Le Fee E.
- 10 Angulo N.
- 11 Brobbey B.
Substitutes
Ellborg M., Geertruida L., Isidor W., Mayenda E., Mundle R., O'Nien L., Rigg C., Talbi C., Xhaka G.
- 1 Leno B.
- 2 Tete K.
- 3 Andersen J.
- 4 Bassey C.
- 5 Sessegnon R.
- 6 Iwobi A.
- 7 Berge S.
- 8 Wilson H.
- 9 Smith Rowe E.
- 10 Kevin
- 11 Jimenez R.
Substitutes
Bobb O., Cairney T., Castagne T., Cuenca J., Diop I., King J., Lecomte B., Reed H., Rodrigo Muniz, X
Sunderland vs Fulham Match Commentary
Sunderland vs Fulham Match Overview: 1-3 Premier League
The Sunderland vs Fulham Match Overview will sting on Wearside because the performance deserved far more than the Sunderland vs Fulham Score suggests. Sunderland pushed, probed and created, but Fulham were ruthless when the decisive moments arrived, leaving the Stadium of Light to a 1-3 Sunderland vs Fulham Result on 22 February 2026. Raul Jimenez struck twice, first powering in a header and then converting a VAR-awarded penalty, before Enzo Le Fee briefly reignited belief from the spot. Any late surge was extinguished when Alex Iwobi finished from an acute angle to seal the Sunderland vs Fulham Match Report in Fulham’s favour.
- Key Moments: Jimenez broke the deadlock with a towering header from an Iwobi corner early in the second half.
- Key Moments: VAR intervened to award Fulham a penalty, and Jimenez doubled the lead with a composed finish.
- Key Moments: Sunderland earned a penalty of their own and Le Fee buried it to drag the home side back into the contest.
- Key Moments: Iwobi’s late strike from a tight angle delivered the killer blow and wrapped up the Sunderland vs Fulham Highlights.
- Key Moments: A disrupted first half shaped by injuries saw both teams trade openings without finding a breakthrough.
First Half
Sunderland match today began with the kind of early edge you expect when a side is desperate to set a tone at home. Free-kicks and corners arrived quickly, and the black cats looked to turn set pieces into momentum, but Fulham’s organisation held firm as crosses were swallowed up or cleared.
The first half never fully settled. Sunderland were forced into an early change when Nordi Mukiele couldn’t continue, and the disruption returned later when Jocelin Ta Bi went down and had to be replaced. Those stoppages stretched the half deep into added time, and in between them Sunderland still found routes into the game: Noah Sadiki tested Bernd Leno with a driven effort, while Habib Diarra twice found space only to snatch at his finishing. Fulham carried their own threat through Ryan Sessegnon’s sharp movement and Jimenez’s physical presence, yet the interval arrived with the scoreline untouched and both sides sensing the match was there to be taken.
Second Half
The second period flipped the narrative in a matter of minutes. Sunderland started it brightly, carving out chances that should have changed the mood inside the ground—Diarra dragged wide after a rebound and Romaine Mundle bent an effort just past the post after turning his marker. Those misses mattered, because Fulham’s response was clinical.
From a corner, Alex Iwobi delivered with precision and Raul Jimenez attacked the ball with conviction, his header bouncing up and in for 0-1. Sunderland tried to shake it off, but Fulham’s control grew, and the key turning point arrived when a penalty was initially waved away before VAR sent Craig Pawson to the monitor. The decision went Fulham’s way, and Jimenez made it 0-2 with a low, unflinching finish.
To their credit, Sunderland refused to fold. Regis Le Bris rolled the dice with changes, and the home crowd finally had a moment to cling to when Ryan Sessegnon was penalised for a pull-back, handing Sunderland a penalty of their own. Enzo Le Fee stepped forward and drove it into the top corner to make it 1-2, transforming the final quarter-hour into a frantic chase.
But Fulham found the final, decisive touch. As Sunderland pushed numbers on, space opened at the other end, and Iwobi arrived to finish from close range at a tight angle for 1-3. Even with heavy stoppage time, Fulham managed the closing moments, blocking and clearing as Sunderland’s last passes were smothered. The whistle confirmed a harsh lesson: Sunderland created enough to compete, Fulham finished like a team that knows how to win away from home.
Sunderland vs Fulham Stats Breakdown
The Sunderland vs Fulham Stats tell a story of fine margins rather than domination. Sunderland had more of the ball (53% possession) and far more presence in the opposition area with 34 touches in Fulham’s box compared to 19, yet the scoreboard leaned the other way. Both teams finished level on total shots (12-12), but Fulham were sharper on target (4 to Sunderland’s 2) and carried the bigger threat in shot quality on goal, reflected by the xG on target numbers (Sunderland 1.01, Fulham 2.17).
In xG terms it was almost dead even—Sunderland 1.85 to Fulham 1.88—making this Sunderland vs Fulham Analysis one of execution. Fulham turned set-piece delivery into a headed goal, then maximised penalty moments, while Sunderland’s best open-play chances in the early second half slipped away. The physical battle also tilted slightly Fulham’s way, with the visitors winning more duels (47 to 41) despite committing more fouls (13 to 6), a sign of their willingness to disrupt rhythm once ahead. For a full-time analysis, Sunderland will look at those missed chances at 0-0 and 0-1; Fulham will point to game management and a clinical edge.
Sunderland vs Fulham Lineups
Sunderland XI (4-1-4-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Hume; Sadiki; Ta Bi, Diarra, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey.
Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Iwobi, Berge; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Jimenez.
Substitutes used: Sunderland introduced Geertruida early for Mukiele, with Mundle also arriving in the first half, then Isidor, Mayenda and Xhaka as they chased the game. Fulham brought on Oscar Bobb for the injured Kevin, then Muniz, Cairney, Cuenca and Castagne late on to see out the win.
Player of the Match
Raul Jimenez. Two goals, including a pressure penalty, and a constant outlet when Fulham needed to relieve Sunderland’s pressure. His movement on the corner for the opener was classic centre-forward play, and his composure from 12 yards underlined why Fulham’s big moments kept landing in the right hands.
What the Result Means
This Sunderland vs Fulham Result is a frustrating one for Sunderland because the underlying numbers suggest a game they could have taken—matching Fulham for chances and edging key territory metrics—yet the finishing and the timing of the big decisions went against them. The post-match reaction around the Stadium of Light will centre on how quickly the match swung after Sunderland’s early second-half opportunities.
For Fulham match today, it’s a statement away performance: not flawless, but brutally effective. Marco Silva’s side showed they can absorb pressure, strike from set pieces, and manage the closing stages with control. In a long Premier League season, these are the wins that build momentum.
Craig Pawson is looking at his watch and immediately ends this match.
90+7'
Romaine Mundle (Sunderland) releases a low pass from just outside the box in an attempt to find his teammate, but one of the defenders calmly averts the threat.
90+3'
The ball is out of play. Fulham win a corner kick.
90+3'
Harry Wilson (Fulham) receives a neat pass inside the box and instantly thumps the ball goalward, but a defender makes a last ditch block to deny him. It will be a corner kick for Fulham.
90'
There will be a minimum of 9 min. of added time.
88'
We are about to witness a subsitution. Timothy Castagne (Fulham) for Kenny Tete.
88'
Here is a change. Emile Smith Rowe is going off and Marco Silva gives the last tactical orders to Tom Cairney (Fulham).
88'
Substitution. Alex Iwobi will be replaced by Jorge Cuenca (Fulham).
85'
1 - 3
GOAL! Alex Iwobi (Fulham) finds the back of the net from close in from a very acute angle.
85'
Noah Sadiki (Sunderland) attempts to find the head of one of his teammates with a promising cross into the box, but a defender outjumps the attackers and averts the threat.
82'
Oscar Bobb (Fulham) sends a beautiful cross into the penalty area, but the opposition's defence manages to clear the ball to safety.
80'
Harry Wilson (Fulham) tries to send a pass but it's blocked.
78'
Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) latches onto a brilliant cross and fires the ball towards goal, but his shot goes high over the crossbar. The ball goes out of play and Fulham will have a goal kick.
77'
Harry Wilson (Fulham) lifts the ball into the box from the corner, but one of the defending players gets there first to head it clear.
76'
1 - 2
Goal! Enzo Le Fee (Sunderland) wins the battle of wills and sends an unstoppable penalty past Bernd Leno into the top left corner.
76'
Enzo Le Fee (Sunderland) is going to take the penalty!
75'
Foul! Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) is penalised for pulling back his opponent. Penalty! A huge opportunity to score for Sunderland.
71'
The referee signals that it is time for a substitution and Granit Xhaka (Sunderland) comes onto the pitch so that Habib Diarra can be given a rest.
70'
Regis Le Bris decides to make a substitution. Nilson Angulo will be replaced by Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland).
70'
It will be a substitution. Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) is ready to enter the pitch as Brian Brobbey walks off.
69'
Close! Nilson Angulo (Sunderland) picks up the ball in space and from inside the penalty area sends a shot narrowly over the bar. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Fulham.
68'
Enzo Le Fee (Sunderland) delivers a long ball, but it lacks enough power to reach his teammates and is intercepted by one of the defenders.
68'
Romaine Mundle (Sunderland) makes a rough challenge and Craig Pawson blows his whistle for a foul. Fulham win a free kick.
66'
Nilson Angulo (Sunderland) seems to have picked up a minor injury, but it looks like he will be able to continue playing.
65'
The referee signals that it is time for a substitution and Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham) will replace Raul Jimenez.
65'
Nilson Angulo (Sunderland) is clearly asking for some medical attention with his painful gestures. The extent of his injury is yet to be discovered.
62'
Romaine Mundle (Sunderland) commits a rough challenge and Craig Pawson blows his whistle for an infringement. It's a free kick to Fulham, but it's in no position for a direct shot on goal.
61'
0 - 2
Goal! Raul Jimenez (Fulham) wins the battle of wills and sends an unstoppable penalty past Robin Roefs into the bottom left corner.
61'
Raul Jimenez (Fulham) will take the responsibility and he is already preparing the ball.
60'
Today's referee Craig Pawson rightly decides to book Brian Brobbey (Sunderland) for his harsh tackle.
60'
Here comes the VAR decision. YES, it's a penalty!
59'
Referee Craig Pawson makes the VAR signal and is going to check whether it’s a penalty for Fulham. Let’s see what happens!
58'
There's a melee in the box, but the referee isn't interested in the appeals from Fulham for a penalty. Play continues.
57'
Harry Wilson (Fulham) attempts to find one of his teammates with a ball from a free kick outside the box. The goalkeeper climbs high above all the players in the box to intercept the cross and snuff out the opportunity.
57'
Trai Hume (Sunderland) makes an overly-aggressive challenge and Craig Pawson blows his whistle for a foul. Fulham are awarded a free kick. Let's see what they create from this.
54'
0 - 1
Alex Iwobi takes over corner duties and expertly finds Raul Jimenez (Fulham), who scores with a header that bounces up off the ground and goes into the bottom right corner. He makes it 0:1.
54'
Corner kick. Alex Iwobi (Fulham) is ready to send the ball into the box.
54'
A defender unwittingly blocks the ball on the line after a snap shot from Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) inside the box following a slide rule pass. Good work from Fulham as they win a corner.
52'
Good chance! Romaine Mundle (Sunderland) nicely turned his man inside the box but placed his effort just wide of the right post. He should have scored! The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Fulham.
52'
Another attempt to send the ball beyond the defence by Brian Brobbey (Sunderland) is thwarted and cleared to safety.
50'
Habib Diarra (Sunderland) squanders a big chance! The ball rebounded out to him and he misdirects his shot well wide of the left post. The ball goes out of play and Fulham will have a goal kick.
50'
Enzo Le Fee (Sunderland) attempts to find one of his teammates with a sweet pass into the box, but one of the defending players reacts well and intercepts the effort.
46'
The half-time break is over and the second half is about to start.
45+8'
The match has reached half-time.
45+6'
Habib Diarra (Sunderland) finds space on the edge of the box, but his wild shot goes high over the bar. The ball goes out of play and Fulham will have a goal kick.
45+6'
Raul Jimenez (Fulham) was too fierce in his attempt to get the ball from his opponent and Craig Pawson blows for a foul. Sunderland get a free kick.
45+2'
The defence had a hard time blocking out the strike from Trai Hume (Sunderland). He didn't hesitate and finished from outside the box right after he had received a pass from his teammate.
45+1'
Sunderland take a short corner instead of sending the ball into the penalty area.
45+1'
Kevin is substituted due to injury. Marco Silva gives a chance to Oscar Bobb (Fulham).
45+1'
Nilson Angulo (Sunderland) looks to break free, but an opposing player clears the ball away. Corner kick. Sunderland will have an opportunity.
45'
The fourth official shows 7 min. of added time.
43'
Kevin (Fulham) is clearly asking for some medical attention with his painful gestures. The extent of his injury is yet to be discovered.
41'
Raul Jimenez (Fulham) can't expect anything else than a yellow card for his hard tackle. And a yellow it is. Craig Pawson didn't think twice about pulling it out of his pocket.
41'
Noah Sadiki (Sunderland) dribbles his way to the edge of the box and drills a shot towards the middle of the goal, but Bernd Leno is equal to the effort and makes a good save.
40'
The corner from Enzo Le Fee (Sunderland) is intercepted by the defence.
39'
Nilson Angulo (Sunderland) attempts to find his teammate with a pass from outside the box, but the opposition's defence is quick to react and thwarts the attack. The ball is out of play. A goal-scoring opportunity from a corner for Sunderland.
39'
Regis Le Bris is forced to make a change. Jocelin Ta Bi is not able to carry on due to injury. He is replaced by Romaine Mundle (Sunderland).
38'
Jocelin Ta Bi (Sunderland) is down injured and the referee stops play so that he can receive medical treatment.
36'
The resulting corner from Alex Iwobi (Fulham) is cleared by the opposition's defence.
35'
Sander Berge (Fulham) tries to send a low pass into the box, but it's blocked and cleared. The linesman makes the right call and Fulham will have a corner.
35'
Nilson Angulo (Sunderland) puts a cross into the box from the free kick, but the defender gets there first.
34'
The game is interrupted now, Jocelin Ta Bi (Sunderland) picks up a knock and the physio has to come on.
33'
Craig Pawson couldn't ignore the rough tackle by Calvin Bassey (Fulham) and blew his whistle. Sunderland have a free kick.
30'
Nilson Angulo (Sunderland) produces a poor pass. He attempts to get the ball into the box but it's hacked away.
30'
Trai Hume (Sunderland) crosses the ball from the free kick, but it goes out of play.
29'
Sander Berge (Fulham) robs an opponent of the ball and explodes in anger when Craig Pawson blows for a foul. It's a free kick to Sunderland in a dangerous position.
26'
Kevin (Fulham) serves up a nice cross, but Robin Roefs punches the ball away.
25'
A promising move ends with a clever pass to Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham), who hits a first-time shot at goal that rises just over the bar. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Sunderland.
24'
Jocelin Ta Bi (Sunderland) produces a lovely ball into the penalty area but the defender manages to intercept and comfortably averts the danger.
24'
Jocelin Ta Bi (Sunderland) steps up to take the corner, but the ball just sails in among the defenders.
23'
Enzo Le Fee (Sunderland) wastes a good opportunity as his pass into the box is blocked by the defence. Sunderland will take a corner kick.
22'
Craig Pawson interrupts the game. One of the players from Fulham won the ball, but his effort is adjudged unfair. Sunderland win a free kick and will be able to apply some pressure on the opposition goal.
20'
Sunderland have been awarded a corner kick. The referee and one of his assistants both point at the corner flag.
20'
Jocelin Ta Bi (Sunderland) sends a pass into the penalty area, but the opponent manages to cut it out. The referee signals a corner kick to Sunderland.
19'
Sander Berge (Fulham) commits a rough foul. Craig Pawson stops the game and makes a call. Free kick. Sunderland will probably just try to cross the ball in from here.
18'
Kevin (Fulham) takes a short pass in his stride inside the box, but hits a poor shot at goal that goes well wide of the right post.
17'
Kenny Tete (Fulham) receives a good pass just outside the box, unleashes a strike from a promising position, but the shot is blocked by the defender.
17'
A pass by Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) ends up in no man's land, and the attacking effort comes to an end.
16'
Trai Hume (Sunderland) takes the corner, but it's intercepted by the defender.
15'
Nilson Angulo (Sunderland) attempts to find his teammate with a final pass from outside of the box, but one of the defenders clears the ball to safety. The referee points to the corner flag. It's a corner to Sunderland.
12'
Problems for Regis Le Bris as Nordi Mukiele is not able to play anymore. His injury is too serious and Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland) replaces him.
10'
Craig Pawson blows for a foul after Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) was too aggressive in the battle for the ball. It's a free kick to Sunderland, but they probably won't attempt a direct shot on goal from here.
9'
Good movement by Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham), but he can't find any of his teammates as the cross is poor.
9'
Kevin (Fulham) slaloms his way past challenges, but an opposing player does well to get the ball away.
9'
Nordi Mukiele (Sunderland) is moving okay again after that injury scare.
7'
Nordi Mukiele (Sunderland) requires medical treatment, so the referee stops play and signals for the physio to come onto the pitch.
7'
Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) tries to slide the ball through to a teammate but it's well blocked by a defender.
6'
Jocelin Ta Bi (Sunderland) fails to produce a decent cross from the corner kick. The ball goes well out of play. The ball goes out of play and Fulham will have a goal kick.
4'
Noah Sadiki (Sunderland) tries to create a chance, but puts too much weight on his pass.
4'
A cross into the box from Harry Wilson (Fulham) is cleared.
2'
Calvin Bassey (Fulham) makes a strong challenge and Craig Pawson blows for a foul. A free kick is awarded to Sunderland.
1'
The first half has just begun.
The players are on the pitch and Sunderland will have the kick-off.
Craig Pawson is the one to supervise the game today.
Show lineups
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