Once he has dried out, Marco Silva might like to wrap Raul Jimenez in cotton wool for a few days.
The Mexican, back from a goal for his country in Texas in midweek settled a rain-sodden contest against Sunderland with a sliding finish in the 85th minute.
It was a victory to halt a slide for Fulham, who have now taken 13 points from a possible 18 at home this season, but one that looked like it might elude them.
They dominated the ball and peppered Robin Roef’s goal with 24 shots but rarely extended the Sunderland keeper until Jimenez pounced, sliding across a slippery surface as his marker Dan Ballard hesitated and converted a splendid low cross by substitute Samuel Chukwueze.
Marco Silva praised his ‘killer instinct’ and his appetite for goals. ‘It was a tough game for him,’ said Silva. ‘A big fight but he always plays with his heart and it was a proper striker’s goal.’
Jimenez, approaching five years since the fractured skull that almost ended his career, shows no sign of easing up. He did not return from Mexico duty until Thursday, trained on Friday and played for 90 minutes against Sunderland.
Raul Jimenez provided the cutting edge by scoring a late winner for Fulham against Sunderland
Jimenez, Fulham’s only available centre forward, slid in to score in the closing minutes
The problem for the Fulham boss is that the 34-year-old is the only recognised and experienced centre forward at his disposal going into the congested festive schedule.
Rodrigo Muniz is ruled out until February after hamstring surgery. Others will have to weight in, including Kevin, who is still looking for his first Fulham goal and was wasteful in the first half.
And Chukwueze, who made a terrific impact from the bench but is yet to start in the Premier League and yet to score and off next month to the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
Next week, Fulham travel across London to face Tottenham and then they are at home to Manchester City.
The fixtures do not get any easier, hence the perceived value of beating Sunderland, who had a third successive draw within touching distance, only to be sunk late.
Two points from three games hints at the early-season adrenalin fading and frustration exploded with a skirmish after the final whistle, involving players and staff from both sides.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris was not impressed. ‘I told the players, I don’t like fighting at the end,’ said Le Bris. ‘If there is still energy in the tank it means we didn’t push hard enough. For me it’s not a positive situation.’
The visitors defended brilliantly. Defenders hurled bodies in front of shots and goalkeeper Robin Roefs made important saves in the first half but they could not deny Fulham deserved to win.
The pace of the Premier League is threatening to engulf Sunderland after their strong start
Harry Wilson, fresh from a hat trick for Wales, Josh King and Kevin flickered in support of Jimenez. Roefs made saves and Sunderland’s defensive screen held firm, blocking shots and deflecting efforts wide but they offered very little as a creative force in the first half. Bertrand Traore was the only one to offer any threat, forcing Bernd Leno into two saves.
Some of those in the away end might contest an incident in the first half when Wilson Isidor tumbled after beating Calvin Bassey to a through ball. Referee Darren England decided it was not a foul and waved play on. In the conditions, it was hard to argue with his call and Le Bris did not make an issue of it.
The visitors improved in the second half. Enzo Le Fee went close within seconds of the restart after a route move, launched by long ball from Roefs. Le Fee took a touch and flashed a shot across Leno’s goal.
Fulham summoned a strong finish though, with Chukwueze conjuring the late chance for Jimenez to score the only goal with his team’s 18th effort at goal in the game.
