Fighting display by the Black Cats, but Cottagers too good

Fulham 2 Sunderland 1

WITH their fate already sealed, the pressure was off Sunderland in their final away game of the season. With theirs still in the balance, the exact opposite was true of Fulham.

At times in the first half it showed, but ultimately Slavisa Jokanovic’s side’s extra quality shone through as the pressure they applied in the second period resulted in a 2-1 win.

It put the Cottagers back into the play-off places, although possibly not for long, with Cardiff City playing catch-up in Hull on Saturday.

The game might not have mattered a great deal to Sunderland – not that they played that way – but there were still things to be gleaned from their trip to wealthy west London. So what did the Black Cats learn?

Jason Steele’s good form continues

Jason Steele might have got the last touch before Lucas Piazon’s equaliser, touching Ryan Fredericks’ cross into the midfielder’s path, but it was another good performance from the man from Newton Aycliffe.

Steele performed well on his latest recall at Burton Albion, and followed it up with a decent showing at Craven Cottage.

He saved a Fredericks’ crossshot from a tight angle and a Stefan Johansen free-kick in the second Mitrovic scoring Fulham’s winner. Lucas Piazon cancelled out Asoro’s goal for Sunderland on the stroke of half time half. Both might have been going There was a point in the first half off target, but if there is one thing when as Sunderland prepared to you do not want your goalkeeper get the game back under way, to do in those situations, it is gamPaddy McNair was screaming and ble. pointing at Joel Asoro to tell the

There were other, more routine teenager where he wanted him to saves, and hebe.evenplayedapartin Joel Asoro’s goal, launching the Taking responsibility is a bit easball downfield in the first place. ier when so many of your team

Steele’s poor kicking had been mates are in your age bracket – in one of his biggest faults earlier in Asoro’s case, younger – but it was the season. good to see a 22-year-old assuming leadership.

George Honeyman and Ethan

Leadership from Paddy McNair

Robson were on set-piece duty in the absence of the injured Aiden McGeady.

Hopefully it will be a young team in League One next season, and there will be no place for shrinking violets.

No Catts, no cry

Sunderland played without Lee Cattermole, and did not seem to miss him all that much.

Kept out of the firing line in recent months, Ethan Robson