Jimenez's 84th-Minute Winner Lifts Fulham Over Sunderland in Rain-Soaked Craven Cottage Clash

It wasn't pretty, but it was everything Fulham needed. In a sodden, windswept evening at Craven Cottage, Fulham edged Sunderland 1-0 on November 22, 2025, thanks to a gritty, last-gasp goal from 34-year-old Mexican striker Raul Jimenez. The strike — a simple prod from a Samuel Chukwueze cross — didn’t just win the game. It pulled Fulham clear of the relegation zone by three points and sent a message: they’re not ready to go down without a fight.

The Weight of the Moment

Before kickoff, Fulham were hanging by a thread. Four straight Premier League losses had left them just one point above the drop. The fans were restless. The media was asking if Marco Silva’s job was in jeopardy. Then came the 3-0 win over Wolves — a spark. Then the 2-0 loss to Everton — a gut punch. And now, in a West London monsoon that turned the pitch into a slip ‘n slide, Fulham did what they’ve done best this season: win at home.

They’ve earned 91% of their points (10 out of 11) at Craven Cottage this campaign — the highest home ratio in the league. And against newly promoted sides? Unbeaten in their last 10. That’s not luck. That’s identity.

A Battle of Grit

Sunderland, meanwhile, were flying. Four wins in their first five away games. A shock 2-1 win over Chelsea. A four-match unbeaten run that had them sitting fourth. But this wasn’t the same team that had outworked Everton and Arsenal. This was a side running on fumes.

Manager Regis Le Bris had built his side on structure — a five-man backline, anchored by Granit Xhaka, who looked every bit the veteran leader. They absorbed pressure. They blocked shots. They cleared with their bodies. Reinildo Mandava’s last-ditch tackle on Harry Wilson in the 58th minute? That was Sunderland in a nutshell.

But Fulham kept coming. Wilson, fresh off a hat-trick for Wales, was electric. Kevin — whose full name remains unconfirmed in match reports — buzzed down the left. And then, in the 84th minute, the breakthrough. Chukwueze, on for the injured Bobby Decordova-Reid, whipped in a cross from the right. Jimenez, slow on the turn but sharp in the box, outmuscled Dan Ballard and prodded it past Roefs. No celebration. No theatrics. Just a nod, a breath, and a glance toward the stands.

What the Numbers Say

• Fulham won their fourth straight Premier League game against promoted teams — matching their best ever run (2005, 2011).
• Sunderland managed just two shots on target — their lowest in a single match this season.
• Fulham’s home record: 4 wins in their last 5 at Craven Cottage. Before this run? Just 4 wins in their previous 15 home games.
• Jimenez now has 3 goals in 11 appearances — all coming in the last 5 matches.

The rain made everything harder. Passes slipped. Tackles went in late. But Fulham’s persistence won out. They didn’t dominate possession — 52% — but they created more dangerous chances. Sunderland’s defense held firm for 83 minutes. But in the Premier League, one moment is all it takes.

The Ripple Effect

For Fulham, this win is more than three points. It’s momentum. It’s belief. It’s the kind of result that turns a season around. Reports suggest Silva was offered a new three-year contract this week. This performance? It makes that deal a no-brainer.

For Sunderland? The fall is steeper than it looks. Dropping to sixth, they’re now just two points clear of Crystal Palace in 10th. Their run of resilience is over. Le Bris says he’s focused on points, not position — but position is what matters now. Their next match? Against Bournemouth, who are tied on 19 points. A loss there, and the dream of European football evaporates.

Why This Matters

This wasn’t a title decider. But it was a relegation decider — for Fulham, at least. The Premier League is brutal. One win can be the difference between survival and disaster. Jimenez, once a star at Wolves, now looks like the quiet hero Fulham didn’t know they needed. And Craven Cottage? It’s no longer just a pretty ground by the Thames. It’s become a fortress.

The twist? Fulham hadn’t beaten Sunderland at home in the top flight since 2013. They lost 4-1 the last time they met here. This time, they won with a single touch. That’s football.