Here's how the players rated:
Sunderland (4-3-3):
6 Roefs: Will be frustrated to concede from another set-piece for opener, but was let down by defenders.
6 Mukiele: Lasted just 12 minutes before being forced off with a calf injury. Key player for the Black Cats and Le Bris will hope issue isn’t serious.
6 Ballard: Solid for the most part but first goal will frustrate Le Bris and defenders. Won penalty.
6 Alderete: Dealt well with Fulham’s threats for the most part. Will be disappointed to concede three.
7 Hume: Couple of crucial interceptions and blocks, the best of which came to deny Iwobi just before the opener. Likely to continue at left-back in Reinildo’s absence.
6 Sadiki: Tireless but will undoubtedly benefit from Xhaka’s return when he’s able to play his usual game again.
6 Diarra: No shortage of effort but couldn’t really get into the game and replaced in the second half.
6 Le Fee: Couple of bright moments in the first half. Stepped up and dealt with the pressure to score the penalty.
6 Ta Bi: A couple of bright flashes of fast feet but winger will be frustrated his full debut lasted just 39 minutes. The hope is his injury isn’t a recurrence of the ankle problem he was suffering with before he signed.
7 Angulo: Sunderland’s brightest attacking spark. His encouraging display – and he played left and right - will please Le Bris.
5 Brobbey: A spectator in the first half. Conceded the penalty. Teed up chance for Angulo but replaced soon after.
Substitutes:
5 Geertruida (for Mukiele, 12): Did OK but lost Jimenez for crucial first goal.
5 Mundle (for Ta Bi, 39): Some bright moments but missed glorious chance to put Sunderland ahead early in second half, which Marco Silva referenced after the game.
6 Mayenda (for Angulo, 70): Made initial difference from the bench before Fulham’s third.
6 Isidor (for Brobbey, 70): See Mayenda.
6 Xhaka (for Diarra, 71): Captain’s presence was immediately felt. Return a huge boost.
Subs not used: Ellborg, Talbi, Rigg, O'Nien
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno 7, Tete 7 (Castagne, 88), Anderson 7, Bassey 7, Sessegnon 7, Berge 7, Iwobi 8 (Cuenca, 88), Wilson 7, Smith-Rowe 6 (Cairney, 88), Kevin 7 (Bobb, 45+1) Jimenez 8 (Muniz, 65)
Subs not used: Lecomte, Diop, Reed, King
Man of the Match: Jimenez: Scored the crucial quickfire double that set Fulham on way to victory.