Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele have given Fulham a 2-1 half-time lead over Sunderland at Craven Cottage.
It was the away side who started the better and they might have led with an effort from Stephane Sessegnon after six minutes, but his free kick drifted wide.
Damien Duff had the home side's first real chance after seven minutes, but Simon Mignolet made a smart save to turn the ball wide, before Dembele had a chance of his own.
Fulham continued to dominate the early stages and they took the lead after 12 minutes when Dempsey struck a wonderful free kick into the top corner.
Dempsey might have extended the home side's lead after 20 minutes, but he struck wide, before Sessegnon brought the best out of Mark Schwarzer moments later.
Pavel Pogrebnyak and Dempsey so nearly made it 2-0 to the Cottagers after 26 minutes, but both efforts just drifted wide of the post.
Sunderland were level, however, after 34 minutes when Phillip Bardsley struck a wonderful effort into the top corner.
Fulham moved back ahead moments later in a sensational period of play, when Dembele found the top corner from just outside the box.
The home side might have moved further ahead moments before the interval with an effort from Duff, but it remains 2-1 at the break.
Matt Law
