Sunderland out to avenge last season’s Fulham double at Stadium of Light | OneFootball

Sunderland host Fulham on Sunday in the Premier League, seeking to put right a blemish from last season. The Cottagers were the sole side to complete a league double over Regis Le Bris’ team.

Many had consigned Sunderland to struggle, yet they took at least a point off almost everyone else. According to Sunderland Echo, those expectations loomed before a ball was kicked. Fulham proved the exception.

Last November at Craven Cottage, a late lapse was punished by Raul Jimenez in a wet contest. Three months on, at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland turned in a flat display and lost 3-1, Jimenez struck twice and Alex Iwobi ended any hope of a rally late on.

The consolation for Sunderland is that Jimenez has since left Fulham to return to Wolves. The concern is that his successor, Gonzalo Garcia, already looks sharp. Previously linked with Sunderland, the Spain youth international left Real Madrid in the summer, joined former boss Alvaro Arbeloa in West London and has two goals in two games, one every 54 minutes.

Behind him, Cesar Palacios has impressed across pre-season clips. Although losing Harry Wilson is a clear setback, Fulham have kept much of the core that finished 11th last term, just two points behind Sunderland.

After Marco Silva’s exit, some tipped a harsh campaign and a possible survival scrap. That may yet unfold, we are only one match into the new season and Fulham lost it. Even so, Sunderland will be wary given last year’s anomaly.

Source: Sunderland Echo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”