Sunderland 1-0 Fulham
- Published
Josh Maja scored on just his second appearance for Sunderland
Josh Maja scored on his league debut to give struggling Sunderland their first win at the Stadium of Light in nearly a year with victory over Fulham.
Sunderland had not won at home since 17 December 2016 when they beat Watford, but Maja slotted in four minutes after coming off the bench to end their run.
Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli had earlier denied both Lewis Grabban and James Vaughan with terrific saves.
Maja's first goal for the Black Cats ended 364 days without a home victory.
Sunderland boss Chris Coleman looked to be heading towards a frustrating draw against his former side, but the dramatic win sees them move out of the Championship relegation places and into 21st.
The home side had their chances, but Bettinelli stopped Grabban's header, Darron Gibson's 25-yard drive and, most impressively, Vaughan's point-blank header.
Fulham threatened, but Stefan Johansen could not get on the end of Ryan Sessegnon's cross and Oliver Norwood sent a free header wide on the break.
Sunderland have now taken seven out of a possible 15 points since Coleman took charge on 20 November.
Sunderland manager Chris Coleman:
"I am really happy for a lot of other people at the moment. We have been here a few weeks, we have inherited a lot.
"The people already here, and the supporters, they have been suffering throughout the year without a home win. I am really pleased for them.
"It's nice to get rid of an unwanted record, but from my view it is only three points. It's a small win for us, a positive day, but we are not getting carried away. We know what is ahead, that's for sure."
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic:
"We are disappointed. We made enough things, but we didn't do enough in the Sunderland box, and we defended poorly when they scored their goal.
"We paid an expensive price for one big mistake. We dominated the ball, but we didn't finish the chances, and if you don't do that then these things can happen.
"We pushed hard and we didn't show enough quality. We didn't concentrate enough and we paid an expensive price."