Jiménez strikes late in the rain as Fulham edge Sunderland.
Raúl Jiménez's perseverance in a West London monsoon earned Fulham a vital 1-0 win over high-flying Sunderland, as the Mexican striker struck six minutes from time to settle a sodden, attritional contest at Craven Cottage. In driving rain that swept off the Thames, the 34-year-old beat Dan Ballard to a teasing cross from Samuel Chukwueze to score what already feels like one of Fulham's most important goals of the season.
The goal, Fulham's 18th shot of the afternoon and one of 24 overall, finally rewarded Marco Silva's side for dominance of possession and territory that had threatened to go unrewarded. Sunderland, who began the day in fourth and could have moved to within four points of leaders Arsenal, mustered only four attempts of their own but appeared set for a hard-earned point until Jiménez's 'proper striker's goal' consigned them to a third straight league game without victory and dropped them to sixth.
Fulham dominate but waste chances in soaking conditions