Match ends, Sunderland 2, Fulham 3.
SunderlandSunderland2FulhamFulham3
Fulham saw off Championship play-off hopefuls Sunderland to set up an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Leeds United.
Harry Wilson's early goal put a much-changed Fulham side in control of the fourth-round replay, with the winger slotting his effort into the bottom corner with the outside of his boot after he was teed up by Carlos Vinícius.
Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andreas Pereira combined for Fulham's second goal just before the hour mark, when the Serbian striker did well to keep the ball in on the byline and touch it back for his fellow substitute to tap in.
Sunderland were given hope of a comeback inside the final 15 minutes when Jack Clarke curled a superb strike into the far corner following a pass from Ajibola Alese.
But Layvin Kurzawa re-established Fulham's two-goal lead in the 82nd minute, firing into the roof of the net following a knockdown from Shane Duffy.
With stoppage time approaching, substitute Jewison Bennette coolly lifted into the corner from close range to cut the deficit, but the Black Cats fell short despite a valiant effort.
Fulham boss Marco Silva, watching from the stands due to a touchline ban, said: "We've been working hard to reach this level and create a winning mentality.
"I knew before the game that it wouldn't be the best, I made nine changes, but we are pleased."
Substitutes seal deal for Fulham
Throughout the match, Sunderland showed why they have aims of returning to the Premier League and are just two points off the Championship play-off places as they put Fulham under serious pressure.
Amad Diallo was a bright spark for the home side, with his low shot cleared off the line by Duffy after he chopped inside and rifled a strike towards goal.
Patrick Roberts' effort deflected off Duffy and forced Marek Rodak into a smart save as Sunderland showed their attacking prowess despite missing striker Ross Stewart.
Wilson had two other opportunities for Fulham in the first half, but Anthony Patterson saved one effort following a fine solo run and he then placed his shot wide of the post after being sent through by captain Tom Cairney.
Silva's decision to bring on Mitrovic and Pereira increased the intensity from the visitors after the break and they showed the quality that has seen them climb to sixth in the top flight.
Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray said after the game: "I think the supporters deserve huge credit for keeping the players going. We're fighting for these people who come to support us.
"We started a bit tentatively but we pushed them and they finished with their strongest team really which I think is a credit to us."
Line-ups
Sunderland
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Patterson
- 32Hume
- 5Ballard
- 6Batth
- 42Alese
- 10RobertsSubstituted forPritchardat 64'minutes
- 24NeilSubstituted forO'Nienat 64'minutes
- 25MichutSubstituted forEkwahat 72'minutes
- 20Clarke
- 16DialloSubstituted forBennetteat 71'minutes
- 17BaSubstituted forRiggat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 12Bass
- 13O'Nien
- 19Bennette
- 21Pritchard
- 31Rigg
- 34Kelly
- 39Ekwah
- 41Johnson
- 49Watson
Fulham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Rodák
- 2TeteSubstituted forDe Cordova-Reidat 65'minutes
- 5DuffyBooked at 55mins
- 4Tosin
- 3Kurzawa
- 38HarrisSubstituted forPereiraat 45'minutes
- 26João PalhinhaSubstituted forReedat 65'minutes
- 8Wilson
- 10Cairney
- 11SolomonSubstituted forJamesat 80'minutes
- 30Carlos ViníciusSubstituted forMitrovicat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Reed
- 9Mitrovic
- 14De Cordova-Reid
- 17Leno
- 18Pereira
- 20Willian
- 21James
- 31Diop
- 33Robinson
- Referee:
- Tim Robinson
- Attendance:
- 29,651
Match Stats
Home TeamSunderlandAway TeamFulham
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away17
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away5
- Corners
- Home2
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sunderland 2, Fulham 3.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Tom Cairney (Fulham) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dan James.
Post update
Attempt missed. Dan Ballard (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Alex Pritchard with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Tosin Adarabioyo.
Goal!
Goal! Sunderland 2, Fulham 3. Jewison Bennette (Sunderland) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham).
Post update
Ajibola Alese (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland).
Post update
Dan James (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Chris Rigg (Sunderland).
Post update
Tom Cairney (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Trai Hume (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Alex Pritchard with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Post update
Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham).
Goal!
Goal! Sunderland 1, Fulham 3. Layvin Kurzawa (Fulham) left footed shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Shane Duffy with a headed pass following a corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Shane Duffy following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Danny Batth.
Post update
Foul by Trai Hume (Sunderland).
Comments
Join the conversation
That quality shows however what we have to strive to achieve.
Nine Sunderland players who started tonight were under the age of 22 so the foundation is there.We just need to be patient and let them develop.
Sunderland? Keep up the push for the playoff and also keep your head up. This was good from you and you probably deserved better than the result today.
Another good game, credit to both sides.
Very cringeworthy.