Jimenez's 84th-minute winner lifts Fulham out of relegation zone with 1-0 win over Sunderland

When Raul Jimenez rose above the rain-slicked turf at Craven Cottage in the 84th minute, the weight of a season’s anxiety lifted from Fulham’s shoulders. The 34-year-old Mexican striker, once written off as past his prime, tucked away Samuel Chukwueze’s curling cross with the cold precision of a predator — a goal that didn’t just win a match, it saved a club’s season. It was November 22, 2025, pouring rain, 3:00 PM UTC, and Fulham had just beaten Sunderland Association Football Club 1-0 in a Premier League clash that felt more like survival than sport. The win pushed Fulham to 14th place with 16 points — three clear of the drop zone — and snapped Sunderland’s five-game unbeaten run as they slipped to sixth.

Craven Cottage: A Fortress in the Storm

Fulham’s home record this season has been their only consistent bright spot. Before this match, all four of their victories had come at Craven Cottage. Saturday’s win was no fluke. Under Marco Silva, who was reportedly offered a new three-year contract just days before kickoff, Fulham played with a grit that had been missing in their five consecutive losses. They dominated possession, pressed high, and kept Sunderland’s attack — once so dangerous — quiet. The Black Cats managed just one shot on target, compared to Fulham’s two. The rain turned the pitch into a slippery mess, but Fulham adapted. Sunderland didn’t.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Silva said post-match. “But it was ours.” And in football, sometimes that’s enough.

The Goal That Changed Everything

The breakthrough came from a moment of brilliance, not brute force. Substitute Samuel Chukwueze, who had entered the field in the 68th minute, received the ball near the left touchline. With two defenders closing in, he didn’t try to beat them. He played it. A low, looping cross — bent like a rainbow over the raindrops — found Jimenez at the back post. The veteran striker, whose legs are creaking but whose instincts remain razor-sharp, didn’t hesitate. He got his boot to it first. Sky Sports called it “a proper striker’s goal.” ESPN said it showed “predatory instincts that might make all the difference today.”

It was Jimenez’s third goal of the season — and his first since a defeat at Aston Villa. His movement, timing, and composure under pressure were the difference. “He put himself in that position,” the YouTube commentator said. “And just got his boot to the ball first.” That’s not luck. That’s experience.

Sunderland’s Fall from Grace

Just weeks ago, Sunderland Association Football Club were the surprise package of the Premier League. Their 2-2 draw with league leaders Arsenal had fans dreaming of top-four contention. But Saturday exposed cracks. Despite Granit Xhaka’s masterclass in midfield control and a compact, committed five-man defense, they lacked creativity. Their best chance? A 46th-minute drive from Enzo Le Fee that fizzed just wide of Aaron Leno’s post. Their most dangerous forward, Anthony Gordon, was largely neutralized. They didn’t take a single shot on target in the first half.

“We had chances,” said manager Regis Le Bris after the match. “But we didn’t punish them. And when you play against a team fighting for survival, they’ll take their one chance.”

Now, Sunderland sit sixth — but with Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Tottenham still to play their Matchweek 12 fixtures, they could drop as low as 10th. Their next opponent? Bournemouth, who are level on points with them. A win here was supposed to be a statement. Instead, it became a warning.

Why This Matters Beyond the Table

Fulham’s survival narrative is no longer theoretical. With 16 points and only three clear of the relegation zone, they’re still not safe. But this win changes the psychology. After five straight losses, morale was crumbling. Players were being questioned. Fans were turning on social media. Now, Silva has a lifeline. And Craven Cottage — once a place of quiet despair — has become a fortress again.

Meanwhile, Sunderland’s momentum is gone. Their five-game unbeaten streak, which included draws with Liverpool and Arsenal, now feels like a mirage. The midfield, once so well-organized, looked tired. The defense, so solid, looked brittle under pressure. And without a clinical finisher like Jimenez, they’re left relying on hope.

What’s Next?

Fulham travel to Brentford next — a tough away fixture, but one they can approach with renewed belief. Their next home game is against Everton, another relegation rival. If they win that, they’ll be seven points clear of danger — and the nightmare of a drop becomes a memory.

Sunderland face Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light in five days. A loss there, and the dream of European football evaporates. A win, and they might just claw their way back into the top half. But they’ll need more than grit. They’ll need goals.

Background: A Season on the Edge

Fulham entered 2025-26 with high hopes. They’d spent heavily in the summer, bringing in Chukwueze and Smith Rowe. But injuries, poor form, and a lack of cutting edge left them 15th with just 13 points before Saturday. Their last win? A 2-1 thriller against West Ham in October. Since then? Five losses. The club’s board was reportedly considering a managerial change — until Silva delivered.

Sunderland, meanwhile, had been the story of the season. A mid-table team last year, they’d transformed under Le Bris. Their press was relentless. Their transitions were lightning. But without a proven goal-scorer, they’ve struggled to close out tight games. Jimenez, once a Bundesliga star, reminded everyone why he still belongs at this level.