Follow live coverage as Fulham face Sunderland today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Fulham FC 1 - 0 Sunderland AFC
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:56FULL-TIME: FULHAM 1-0 SUNDERLAND
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:55Yellow Card Raúl Jiménez
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:53Wilson is replaced by Castagne for the final minute of additional time.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:53Wilson is booked for leaving the pitch slowly as he is substituted.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:53Leno is booked for time wasting after taking an age to take a goal-kick.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:52Chukweze has made a telling contribution off the bench and has enjoyed a lot of the ball since the goal, while also running the clock down for the home side. He is involved in another move which leads to Smith Rowe being teed up to strike an effort at goal, but he scuffs his effort at the crucial moment and Sunderland can clear.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:50There will be five minutes of injury time.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:50Adingra comes on for Le Fee in the final change for Sunderland.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:50Sunderland make their last few changes as Mayenda comes on for Hume.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:48Reed replaces Iwobi for the final few minutes. The Nigerian has been deployed in a deeper position today and receives warm applause from the home fans.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:47Hume is booked for an earlier challenge on Wilson.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:48Despite the scenario, Fulham still look the more threatening of the two sides and want a second to finish their opponents off. Jimenez causes more problems in the area as he creates a yard of space for himself and gets on the end of another Chukwueze cross but his effort is cleared by the Sunderland defence.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:45Chukwueze had been growing into the match off the bench, as his pass found Smith Rowe which created a half-chance for Fulham just moments earlier. It's a brilliant cross to find the Mexican who did the rest. Can Fulham hold on for three crucial points?
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:44GOOOALLLL!!!! THE PRESSURE PAYS OFF! A deserved lead for Fulham! They finally break the deadlock as Jimenez applies the scoring touch from inside the area after a delicious, curling cross from Chukwueze! Fulham 1-0 Sunderland.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:43Smith Rowe makes a fine run down the left and produces a cutback for Wilson but he's denied by a fabulous block from Geertruida. The corner is conceded but Anderson can't direct a header at goal and Sunderland can breathe another sigh of relief. They will take the point from this position as it stands.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:40The home side go forward again as Sessegnon makes an overlapping run and strikes an effort across the face of goal, but there's too much power on it and there's nobody in Fulham colours to apply the finishing touch. He could have shown a bit more composure in that scenario.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:38Fulham seem to have gained the upper hand again with 15 minutes left of normal time to go. Most of the match is being played in Sunderland's half, but the away side are comfortable and compact in their shape.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:38Reinildo is now booked for a late foul on Wilson. That's the second yellow card of the afternoon and both have fallen to Sunderland players.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:35Sunderland have not lost consecutive league meetings with the Cottagers since a run of three between 2002 and 2006. As pointed out earlier, their last match with Fulham was a 2-1 defeat in April 2018, resulting in relegation to League One later that season.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:35Another opportunity for the home side and it falls to the substitute Smith Rowe. The cross comes in from the right and evades everyone in white, until the ex-Arsenal man strikes an effort against the side netting on the half-volley. Excellent technique but Roefs was always comfortable.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:32However, Sunderland really do seem to be carrying far more of a threat in this half. Le Fee wins a corner for the visitors and his cross finds Xhaka at the far post but his header is straight into the grateful clutches of Leno. The Swiss midfielder had plenty of time on that occasion and could have done better.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:31Roefs is now up on his feet and is set to continue. Xhaka's free-kick just evades the outstretched foot of Isidor and Fulham win the goal-kick. Leno is in a hurry to take. Given Fulham's precarious position in the table, three points are of paramount importance.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:29A worry for the visitors as Roefs is down and requires some attention from the medical staff. He's been one of Sunderland's bright sparks this season and they will hope they won't have to make a change here.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:29HUGE CHANCE! The two centurions combine as Sessegnon finds Wilson in the area with a searching pass. The Welshman has time to check back onto his favoured left foot, but he drags an effort agonisingly wide of the post! What a glorious opportunity, by far Fulham's best of the second half and arguably of the match.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:28Fulham attempt to wrestle back control as they manage to win a corner, but Sunderland are sound from a set-piece yet again. The ball eventually finds Iwobi from outside the area, but he gets his half-volley all wrong and any momentum disintegrates.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:27Kevin's afternoon is over as Chukwueze replaces him.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:27Fulham make their first substitution, with King being replaced by Smith Rowe.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:27Another change in attack for the Black Cats, with Isidor coming off for Brobbey.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:25The first change of the match as Talbi replaces Traore.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:23We're just past the hour mark and the Black Cats are enjoying their best spell of the match. They have a strong record in the second half of league matches this season and will fancy their chances of creating some opportunities in these last 30 minutes.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:20Wilson and Sessegnon are both making their 100th league appearance for Fulham this afternoon. Both players have threatened at times today, but Silva will hope they can contribute further in order to win all three points.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:20Sunderland win a corner as Mukiele's searching pass finds Le Fee, whose cutback nearly reaches Isidor but Andersen is there to make the key interception. It's taken short, but the eventual cross is claimed by Leno. Fulham are not enjoying nearly as much control in this half.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:19Things are just looking a bit more desperate for Fulham as King audaciously attempts an effort from the middle of the pitch, akin to Kenny McLean just a few days earlier for Scotland at Hampden Park. The teenager's effort is miles away from finding the target.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:16Sunderland are certainly making this half feel less one-sided but Fulham are still enjoying more possession in the opening stages of the second 45. However, they are yet to create an opportunity of note and the visitors seem settled in their defensive shape once more.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:13A great run from Berge sees him win a corner for the home side, their first of the second half. A long delivery comes in but Roefs does well to punch it clear and ends up winning a free-kick for his troubles. It's been another solid showing from Sunderland's number one between the sticks so far.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:09Sunderland continue to play on the front foot at the start of the half but any momentum is halted as Xhaka's attempted pass for Isidor has too much on it and Fulham can recycle possession of the ball. Nevertheless, much better from Le Bris' men in comparison to the first half.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:06Barely 10 seconds into the half and Sunderland create their best chance of the match! A long ball from Roefs is brought down expertly be Le Fee. He curls an effort around Tete but it just fails to reach that far corner.
Fulham vs Sunderland
16:05Sunderland get us going after the break. No change from either side.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:54Despite an average performance in the first half, Sunderland will take encouragement from how they have performed in the second 45 of Premier League matches this season, with only Brighton having a better percentage of second half goals. Conversely, Fulham have struggled as matches have progressed, having conceded 69% of their goals in the second half, which is the third most of any side in the league.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:52Fulham and Sunderland are goalless at the break in the Premier League. The first half took a while to get going, but Silva's men have largely been on top and have created the better chances. The first key opportunity went the way of Wilson, but his curling effort was inches away from finding the far corner. They created another chance just a minute later, as Roefs kept out a strike from Kevin in the area. Sunderland have needed to defend well, but there's been a lack of bite offensively, with the exception of Traore, who has conjured up two half-chances for the visitors. In terms of xG, Fulham have created 0.75 to just 0.02 for Sunderland.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:51HALF-TIME: FULHAM 0-0 SUNDERLAND
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:48There will be two additional minutes for the first half.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:47Xhaka nearly finds Le Fee with a sumptuous through pass but Tete is aware of the danger and snuffs it out. The Swiss veteran has struggled to make an impact with the ball but that was a sign of his undoubted quality when he has the time and space.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:46Fulham go forward again as King flicks it into Kevin's path, but the Brazilian's touch lets him down as he attempts to advance on goal and Hume recovers well to make a smart interception. It's been a frustrating afternoon for the Brazilian winger so far, but he is capable of making the breakthrough.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:46Kevin isolates Mukiele down the left and then digs out a cross, which just evades Jimenez. It finds King, who hooks an effort towards goal but his volleyed effort is just wide of the post. Brilliant improvisation, but it was never troubling Roefs.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:46Against the run of play, Sunderland threaten the Fulham backline. Hume picks out Traore who comes in from the right and scuffs an effort at goal, but Leno is down to make an easy save. Despite a lacklustre performance from the Black Cats, Traore has been lively when he's had the opportunity to advance.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:46Sunderland are dicing with death at the back as they play out, with Roefs clearing the ball away but tangling with King as he follows through. VAR clears him from any wrongdoing but the teenager was down clutching his ankle for a couple of minutes.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:42Sunderland go forward for the first time in a while as Isidor attempts to latch onto a pass but Bassey shrugs him off the ball and recycles possession for the home side. The striker believes he should have been awarded a foul but the referee is not interested in his complaints.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:40We're approaching the final 10 minutes of the half and the visitors are yet to even register an effort. They seem content to sit in this deep defensive block and pressing high when they have the chance, but it just seems a moment of time until Fulham break the deadlock.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:38Ballard receives the first yellow card of the match after bringing down Wilson with a loose challenge. The Northern Irishman can have no complaints.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:3530 minutes have passed and Fulham have been largely on top so far. Yet another effort on target for the home side as Berge tries his luck from 25 yards out, but Roefs is down to make another stop and holds onto it.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:31It's gorgeous play from Fulham as Wilson and King combine, with the youngster backheeling a pass into the path of the Welshman but his effort is deflected away for a corner. Sunderland are able to deal with the set-piece at the front post, but the home side begin yet another attack from inside their own half.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:31Fulham continue probing as the cross comes in from the left but Jimenez is penalised after shoving Reinildo over in the air as he looked to gain the advantage. The Brazilian went down rather theatrically but Jimenez can have no complaints about the foul being awarded.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:28It's yet another chance for the Cottagers as Berge manages to pick out Kevin at the backpost with a teasing cross. However, Fulham's record signing can only direct the header straight at Roefs, who is able to make a comfortable stop and hold onto the ball. They've created three fine chances in the last five minutes.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:26ANOTHER BIG CHANCE! Sunderland's backline are in disarray as Kevin clears the last line of defence and advances through on goal. He strikes an effort from just inside the area but Roefs is down to his right and makes a fine stop. The Black Cats are forced to concede the throw and seem on the ropes at the moment.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:28Mukiele is down after that passage of play and requires some treatment from the medical staff. He is back on his feet and it looks like Sunderland won't be needing to make their first change of the match.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:23JUST WIDE! The game is stretched for the first time as Fulham hit Sunderland on the counter-attack after they defend a corner from the Black Cats. Wilson is found by Berge and runs forward with the ball, before cutting inside and striking a curling effort at goal which is inches away from finding that far corner.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:21This is the first match between the two sides in the top flight since a 4-1 victory for Sunderland at Craven Cottage in January 2014. Fulham would be relegated that season, ending a run of 13 years in the Premier League, while Sunderland stayed up by the skin of their teeth after a fine run of form at the end of the campaign.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:20Fulham win a corner, with Iwobi's curling delivery leading to a flurry of headers in the area. Jimenez chests it down and strikes at goal, but Reinildo makes a strong block and it goes out for another corner from the opposite side. Wilson's cross is a searching one towards the back post, but Roefs ushers it out for a goal-kick.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:17SAVE! Hume nearly sets Isidor free with a searching pass, but Andersen makes a fine intervention. However, his interception is latched on by Traore, who advances into the area but Leno is out quickly to thwart the attacker. The ball is eventually cleared, but that was a sign of Sunderland's attacking intent when they throw bodies forward.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:16Fulham create the first half chance of the match as a cross comes in from Kevin, which leads to Iwobi acrobatically striking at goal, but it's at a comfortable height for Roefs, who makes an easy save.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:15Fulham are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games against newly promoted opponents, winning their last three in a row – their longest winning run over promoted clubs in the division since October 2011. Will they make it four this afternoon?
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:14It's all a bit untidy at the moment with Sunderland pressing and looking to force Fulham into errors when in possession. The Black Cats have always been a danger on the break this season and they do seem content to soak up any early pressure from the home side.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:14Sunderland are searching for back-to-back wins in the capital within a season for the first time since March 2001. They've settled into a defensive shape in the first five minutes of this match. Jimenez runs onto a pass from deep and strikes an effort over, but the flag is already up for offside.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:10The first few minutes of this encounter have seen possession for both sides, but there has been a lack of penetrating passes to stretch either backline. Fulham are awarded the first foul of the afternoon as Mukiele brings down Sessegnon.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:04This is the first time these two sides have met in a league match since April 2018, with Fulham winning 2-1 that day. Remarkably, that remains the last time Sunderland were defeated in London. They have played 14 matches in the capital since then, and are still unbeaten.
Fulham vs Sunderland
15:02The home side get us under way at a rain-soaked Craven Cottage!
Fulham vs Sunderland
14:57The players are now walking out onto the pitch and kick-off is just minutes away!
Fulham vs Sunderland
14:39Sunderland are unchanged from the side that drew to Arsenal in their last league match, with head coach Regis Le Bris sticking to five at the back. Reinildo starts despite withdrawing from the Mozambique squad with a hamstring issue, but Habib Diarra and Aji Alese remain sidelined.
Fulham vs Sunderland
14:38Silva makes just one change from the side that was defeated by Everton a fortnight ago, with teenager King coming in to replace the suspended Sasa Lukic in midfield. Iwobi could be deployed in a deeper role. Antonee Robinson remains out with a knee injury, while Rodrigo Muniz has undergone surgery after injuring his hamstring in the match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Fulham vs Sunderland
14:31FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Ryan Sessegnon; Alex Iwobi, Sander Berge; Harry Wilson, Josh King, Kevin; Raul Jimenez.
Fulham vs Sunderland
14:30FULHAM SUBS: Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, Adama Traore, Jorge Cuenca, Jonah Kusi-Asare, Samuel Chukwueze, Timothy Castagne, Benjamin Lecomte, Emile Smith-Rowe.
Fulham vs Sunderland
14:30SUNDERLAND XI (5-4-1): Robin Roefs; Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Lutsharel Geertruida, Reinildo Mandava; Bertrand Traore, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee; Wilson Isidor.
Fulham vs Sunderland
14:30SUNDERLAND SUBS: Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, Chemsdine Talbi, Brian Brobbey, Eliezer Mayenda, Luke O'Nien, Omar Alderete, Simon Adingra, Arthur Masuaku.
Fulham vs Sunderland
14:30Sunderland extended their unbeaten run to four matches before the international break as Brian Brobbey's injury time header earned them a 2-2 draw with league leaders Arsenal at the Stadium of Light. It has been an incredible start to life back in the top flight for the Black Cats, as they occupy fourth position in the table. Another victory would see them move level on points with Manchester City, before Pep Guardiola's men face their bitter rivals Newcastle United in the evening kick-off.
Fulham vs Sunderland
14:30Fulham currently sit 15th and just one point off the relegation zone after a 2-0 away defeat to Everton before the international break. The Cottagers are yet to win on the road this season but have the chance to record back-to-back league wins at home after defeating Wolves earlier this month. Fulham would leapfrog above Newcastle with a victory this afternoon.
Fulham vs Sunderland
14:30Hello and welcome to live coverage of this Premier League match between Fulham and Sunderland at Craven Cottage!
Fulham vs Sunderland
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
