Sunderland 1-3 Fulham Player Ratings: The Black Cats' Woes Continue As Their Losing Streak Extends Further With A Disappointing Loss Against The Cottagers

A ruthless display from Fulham saw them dismantle a struggling Sunderland side with a 3-1 victory at the Stadium of Light. The Premier League encounter was defined by clinical finishing and defensive errors. From our perspective, this was a game won on efficiency.

The match was a frantic affair from the start, unfortunately punctuated by injuries for the home side. Fulham weathered an early, chaotic storm before taking complete control in the second half. What stood out to us was how they capitalized on every single mistake.

Raúl Jiménez was the clear protagonist, bagging a brace that broke the game open. His headed goal from a corner showed great instinct, and he dispatched his penalty with ice-cold composure. Sunderland pulled one back through an Enzo Le Fée penalty, but their hope was short-lived as Alex Iwobi sealed the deal with a late counter-attacking goal, capping off a stellar individual performance.

Have a look at the Sunderland vs Fulham Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Raul Jimenez and Daniel Ballard were tied on the most ground duels won (7).
• Lutsharel Geertruida had the most interceptions in the match (4).
• Both teams had the same number of shots taken and number of big chances created, but it was the hosts who capitalized efficiently.

Sunderland Player Ratings vs Fulham

Here are the Sunderland Player Ratings from the Sunderland vs Fulham Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Robin Roefs - 5.0: A really tough day at the office for the keeper. He conceded three goals and only made a single save all game. From our seat, he looked exposed by his defence and couldn't do much about the goals. The penalty was well-struck, the header was from point-blank range, and the third was a precise finish. Still, you expect your keeper to command his area better on set-pieces. He just seemed a passenger for large parts of the game.

Defenders

Dan Ballard - 6.5: A very mixed performance. He was a beast in the air, winning tackles and making a massive nine clearances. He also showed great attacking intent to win the penalty for his side. However, he was part of a defence that conceded three goals and looked shaky throughout. He was culpable for giving away corners under pressure, one of which led to a goal. It's a performance with high highs and low lows.

Omar Alderete - 6.0: Alderete had moments where he looked solid, contributing six clearances and a key blocked shot. He tried to build from the back but his distribution was sometimes lacking. Ultimately, being the central figure in a defence that ships three goals is never a good look. We noticed he struggled to handle the movement of Raúl Jiménez and was often a step behind the play. An average outing at best.

Trai Hume - 6.0: The captain had a difficult afternoon. He was solid in some of his duels and made a few important tackles and interceptions. However, he gave away the ball cheaply on occasion and was caught out of position for the third goal. He just couldn't impose himself on the game as a leader should. We felt his frustration growing as the match went on, which is understandable given the circumstances.

Nordi Mukiele - 5.0: It's hard to give a fair rating here. His game was cut short by a sad injury just 12 minutes in. In that short time, he didn't do much wrong but also didn't have time to make any impact. We feel for players whose afternoons end so prematurely. His early departure definitely disrupted the team's defensive structure and set a negative tone.

Midfielders

Nilson Angulo - 5.0: A very disappointing performance. What stood out to us was the huge chance he missed in the 68th minute, blazing it over the bar when he should have scored. He lost possession a staggering 12 times and looked lightweight in duels. His decision-making in the final third was poor. He was rightly substituted after a very ineffective display.

Habib Diarra - 6.0: He showed some fight in midfield, drawing a couple of fouls and making a few recoveries. He tried to get on the ball but his passing was off, with only a 63% completion rate. He just couldn't provide the spark or control that Sunderland desperately needed in the middle of the park. It was an industrious but ultimately forgettable 71 minutes for him.

Noah Sadiki - 6.5: One of the tidier players in a black and red shirt. He kept the ball well with high pass accuracy and even tested the keeper with a shot from distance. He worked hard defensively, making five recoveries and a couple of tackles. From our perspective, he was one of the few who could hold his head high, even if he didn't change the game's outcome.

Enzo Le Fée - 7.5: Sunderland's best player on the day. He showed immense composure to step up and bury the penalty to give his team a glimmer of hope. Beyond the goal, he was a workhorse, recovering the ball nine times and always trying to make things happen. He was let down by the players around him. A real bright spot in an otherwise gloomy performance.

Jocelin Ta Bi - 5.5: Another player forced off with an injury in the first half. Before he left the pitch, he looked quite lively, attempting a few dribbles and trying to take the game to Fulham. However, his final product wasn't there and he lost the ball too often. The effort was visible, but the effectiveness was not.

Forwards

Brian Brobbey - 4.0: A disastrous outing. He was completely anonymous for most of the match, touching the ball just 12 times in 70 minutes. His biggest contribution was a clumsy challenge inside the box to concede a penalty, which effectively killed the game. A yellow card for his troubles summed up a day to forget. He was a liability and was deservedly hooked.

Substitutes

Substitutes - N/A: Several players like Romaine Mundle and Wilson Isidor came on but without full stats it's difficult to provide a fair rating. They tried to inject some energy but couldn't turn the tide against a resolute Fulham defence.

Manager

R. Le Bris - 5.0: A horrible day for the manager. His team looked tactically naive, leaving huge gaps for Fulham to exploit on the counter. While injuries certainly didn't help his cause, the team lacked a coherent plan B. The defensive setup was shambolic, and the attack was toothless. He has a lot of work to do on the training ground after this one.

Fulham Player Ratings vs Sunderland

Here are the Fulham Player Ratings from the Sunderland vs Fulham Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Bernd Leno - 6.0: He had a surprisingly quiet game. Sunderland only managed two shots on target, one of which was the penalty he had no chance of saving. His distribution was a bit mixed, but he commanded his box when needed. It was a straightforward afternoon for the German international, who will be happy with the win but knows he'll face much tougher tests.

Defenders

Kenny Tete - 7.0: A really solid and professional performance. He was strong in his duels, winning all four he contested, and made some crucial clearances and interceptions. He supported the attack well when he could and was rarely troubled defensively. It was just a very competent, no-fuss display from the right-back. He did his job effectively and without any drama.

Calvin Bassey - 8.0: What a powerhouse performance this was. He was an absolute rock at the back, making eight clearances and winning most of his duels. His biggest contribution was bursting forward with determination to win the penalty for his team's second goal. That moment of intent showed his quality and changed the game. A commanding display that terrorized the opposition forwards.

Joachim Andersen - 7.5: The captain led by example. Alongside Bassey, he formed a formidable barrier that Sunderland just couldn't break down from open play. He made six clearances and two key interceptions, reading the game beautifully. His distribution, especially his long balls, helped launch several attacks. A calm and composed head at the heart of the defence.

Ryan Sessegnon - 5.0: The one real blemish on an otherwise great day for Fulham. He was defensively suspect at times and made a clumsy, needless challenge to give away a penalty. That error gave Sunderland a lifeline they didn't deserve. He also lost possession 17 times, which is far too many. A poor performance he'll want to forget quickly.

Midfielders

Harry Wilson - 7.5: He was a bundle of energy all game. His assist for the third goal was perfectly weighted, capping a quick counter-attack. What really stood out to us was his defensive work rate; making seven clearances as a midfielder shows his commitment to the team. He was a constant threat and worked his socks off for the badge. A great all-around display.

Sander Berge - 6.0: It was a mixed bag from Berge. He was physically present in midfield and made some important tackles and recoveries. However, he was also a bit clumsy, committing three fouls and making an error that led to a shot. He kept things simple but didn't offer much in the way of creativity. An okay performance, but not his most influential.

Alex Iwobi - 8.5: A magnificent performance and a strong contender for man of the match. He was the creative hub for Fulham, delivering a brilliant cross for the first goal and then scoring the third himself with a composed finish. His passing was crisp, and his movement was intelligent. Everything good for the visitors seemed to flow through him. Just a joy to watch.

Emile Smith Rowe - 7.0: Incredibly tidy in possession. The stats say he didn't misplace a single pass, which is remarkable. He kept the play ticking over and linked up midfield and attack seamlessly. While he didn't provide a goal or assist, his control and composure were vital in helping Fulham dominate the game. A quiet but very effective performance.

Kevin - 6.0: His afternoon was cut short by injury at halftime. In his 45 minutes, he looked decent enough, getting into a good position for one shot that he missed. He didn't do much wrong but also didn't have enough time to stamp his authority on the game. A frustrating end for him.

Forwards

Raúl Jiménez - 9.0: The Man of the Match, without a doubt. This was a classic number nine performance. He was in the right place at the right time for his headed goal and showed nerves of steel to convert the penalty. His hold-up play was excellent, and he was a constant nuisance for the Sunderland defenders. This is the Jiménez that Fulham fans love to see. A clinical and decisive display.

Substitutes

Substitutes - N/A: The manager made several changes late on to see the game out, with players like Rodrigo Muniz and Tom Cairney getting some minutes. They helped maintain control and ensure there were no late dramas for the away side.

Manager

M. Saraiva Da Silva - 8.0: He got his game plan absolutely perfect. He set his team up to be defensively solid and lethal on the counter-attack, and it worked to perfection. His players knew their roles and executed them brilliantly. He identified Sunderland's weaknesses and exploited them ruthlessly. A tactical masterclass on the road.

Man of the Match

Raúl Jiménez was the man of the match from the Premier League game.

Worst Performer

Brian Brobbey was the worst of the lot in the Sunderland vs Fulham fixture.