Raul Jimenez scored twice as Fulham ended a three-match Premier League losing run with victory at Sunderland.
The Mexico striker peeled off his marker in the penalty area to head in Alex Iwobi’s 54th-minute corner to break the deadlock.
Seven minutes later Fulham were awarded a penalty when referee Craig Pawson was sent to the pitchside monitor and adjudged Brian Brobbey pulled on Calvin Bassey’s shirt in the area.
Jimenez made no mistake from the spot, sending Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs the wrong way for his 13th successful penalty out of 13 in the Premier League.
Sunderland replied in the 76th minute when Dan Ballard drove into the area and was bundled to the floor by Ryan Sessegnon to win his side a penalty.
Enzo le Fee found the top corner with his powerful spot-kick to give the hosts hope.
But Fulham completed a league double over Sunderland for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign with a third goal on the counter-attack with five minutes left.
Harry Wilson broke clear and slipped in Alex Iwobi who dinked a calm finish over Roefs for his first strike since December.
Fulham’s first league win since they beat Brighton 2-1 on 24 January – and first away in the top flight this year – moved them above Sunderland and 10th in the table.
Fulham analysis: Jimenez’s quality the difference
Jimenez’s double took his tally to 11 for club and county in 36 appearances this season.
The 34-year-old had last scored against Manchester United in a 3-2 defeat on 1 February.
Jimenez, though, may have been fortunate to have still been on the pitch, having been booked in the first half for catching Ballard with a flailing arm and almost getting a second yellow card for the same offence on Omar Alderete a few minutes later.
In a drab game with few chances before his opener, Jimenez’s quality in the box sparked it into life.
He was denied a chance of a hat-trick when he was substituted for Rodrigo Muniz in the 65th minute.
Fulham boss Marco Silva was also forced into taking off Kevin, who picked up a muscle injury in the first half, having come into the team to replace the injured Samuel Chukwueze.
But Fulham still had an attacking threat and Wilson continued his fine individual form by assisting Iwobi’s late goal.
Since the start of November, only Erling Haaland (17) and Bruno Fernandes (15) have been involved in more Premier League goals than the Wales winger (7 goals and 5 assists).
Sunderland analysis: Consecutive home losses for Black Cats
Resilience, composure and team spirit are Sunderland top priorities – Le Bris
Having started the season with an impressive 12-match unbeaten run at home in the Premier League, Sunderland have now lost their past two games at the Stadium of Light, failing to bounce back from their defeat to Liverpool.
Moments before Fulham’s opener, Romaine Mundle was played in by Lutsharel Geertruida, but he missed the target from only a few yards out.
Nilson Angulo also had an effort touched over the bar when Sunderland were trailing 2-0.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Black Cats, made worse by two first-half injuries.
Manager Regis le Bris lost defender Nordi Mukiele – impressive this season – and Jocelin Ta Bi, who was making his first league start for the club.
But the sight of captain Granit Xhaka returning in the second half after a four-match absence was a welcome one as Sunderland look to halt a worrying run of four losses in five league games.
What’s next for these teams?
Sunderland, in 12th place, travel to Bournemouth on Saturday, 28 February (12:30 GMT), while Fulham host London rivals Tottenham on Sunday, 1 March (14:00 GMT).
