Fulham are having a poor season, but their home record could be enough to avert a relegation battle.
Marco Silva’s side have picked up 13 of their 14 points this season at Craven Cottage, and they had 70% possession in the first half hour and 57% across the game.
Shots rained down on the Sunderland goal as heavily as the rain on the banks of the River Thames.
Alex Iwobi attempted an overhead kick from the edge of the penalty area, while Harry Wilson – fresh from a hat-trick for Wales during the international break – came close on a few occasions.
But Kevin, the only big-money signing Silva was able to make in the summer, was particularly wasteful and guilty of bad touches before being taken off just past the hour.
His replacement, AC Milan loanee Chukwueze, was much more direct in his running and accurate with his crossing, and set up the deserved winner.
Silva has reportedly been offered a contract extension with his current deal expiring this summer. This win could grease the wheels.