As soon as he has dried out, Marco Silva may wish to wrap Raul Jimenez in cotton wool for a couple of days.
The Mexican, again from a objective for his nation in Texas in midweek settled a rain-sodden contest towards Sunderland with a sliding end within the eighty fifth minute.
It was a victory to halt a slide for Fulham, who’ve now taken 13 factors from a potential 18 at residence this season, however one which regarded prefer it may elude them.
They dominated the ball and peppered Robin Roef’s objective with 24 photographs however not often prolonged the Sunderland keeper till Jimenez pounced, sliding throughout a slippery floor as his marker Dan Ballard hesitated and transformed a splendid low cross by substitute Samuel Chukwueze.
Marco Silva praised his ‘killer intuition’ and his urge for food for objectives. ‘It was a troublesome recreation for him,’ mentioned Silva. ‘A giant battle however he all the time performs along with his coronary heart and it was a correct striker’s objective.’
Jimenez, approaching 5 years because the fractured cranium that nearly ended his profession, exhibits no signal of easing up. He didn’t return from Mexico responsibility till Thursday, educated on Friday and performed for 90 minutes towards Sunderland.
Raul Jimenez supplied the innovative by scoring a late winner for Fulham towards Sunderland
Jimenez, Fulham’s solely obtainable centre ahead, slid in to attain within the closing minutes
The issue for the Fulham boss is that the 34-year-old is the one recognised and skilled centre ahead at his disposal going into the congested festive schedule.
Rodrigo Muniz is dominated out till February after hamstring surgical procedure. Others must weight in, together with Kevin, who continues to be searching for his first Fulham objective and was wasteful within the first half.
And Chukwueze, who made a terrific influence from the bench however is but to start out within the Premier League and but to attain and off subsequent month to the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
Subsequent week, Fulham journey throughout London to face Tottenham after which they’re at residence to Manchester Metropolis.
The fixtures don’t get any simpler, therefore the perceived worth of beating Sunderland, who had a 3rd successive draw inside touching distance, solely to be sunk late.
Two factors from three video games hints on the early-season adrenalin fading and frustration exploded with a skirmish after the ultimate whistle, involving gamers and employees from either side.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris was not impressed. ‘I instructed the gamers, I don’t like combating on the finish,’ mentioned Le Bris. ‘If there’s nonetheless vitality within the tank it means we didn’t push arduous sufficient. For me it’s not a optimistic state of affairs.’
The guests defended brilliantly. Defenders hurled our bodies in entrance of photographs and goalkeeper Robin Roefs made essential saves within the first half however they might not deny Fulham deserved to win.
The tempo of the Premier League is threatening to engulf Sunderland after their sturdy begin
Harry Wilson, recent from a hat trick for Wales, Josh King and Kevin flickered in assist of Jimenez. Roefs made saves and Sunderland’s defensive display screen held agency, blocking photographs and deflecting efforts large however they supplied little or no as a artistic power within the first half. Bertrand Traore was the one one to supply any menace, forcing Bernd Leno into two saves.
A few of these within the away finish may contest an incident within the first half when Wilson Isidor tumbled after beating Calvin Bassey to a via ball. Referee Darren England determined it was not a foul and waved play on. Within the circumstances, it was arduous to argue along with his name and Le Bris didn’t make a problem of it.
The guests improved within the second half. Enzo Le Charge went shut inside seconds of the restart after a route transfer, launched by lengthy ball from Roefs. Le Charge took a contact and flashed a shot throughout Leno’s objective.
Fulham summoned a robust end although, with Chukwueze conjuring the late probability for Jimenez to attain the one objective along with his staff’s 18th effort at objective within the recreation.
