Fulham v Sunderland

The history between Fulham FC and Sunderland AFC spans across various divisions in English football, with both clubs having periods of success and struggle in the top tiers. Here’s a breakdown of their historical matchups:

Early Encounters (1900s – 1950s)

• First Meeting: Fulham and Sunderland first met in the early 20th century, with their encounters primarily in the First Division and various cup competitions.

• 1900s – 1940s: The two clubs faced each other intermittently, with Sunderland often being the more dominant force. Sunderland, particularly in the early decades, was one of the most successful clubs in English football, winning several First Division titles.

The 1960s – 1970s

• During the 1960s and 70s, both Fulham and Sunderland spent some time in the First Division, but Fulham struggled with relegations and promotions, while Sunderland had a mix of highs and lows in terms of league performance.

• Sunderland won the 1964 FA Cup and was a competitive side during the 1970s, while Fulham was trying to maintain its status in the top division.

The 1980s – 1990s: Periods of Struggle

• 1980s: By the 1980s, Fulham faced a significant decline in fortune, dropping to the Third Division in 1997. Sunderland, however, was somewhat more consistent in the top two divisions, although they too experienced relegation in the early part of the decade.

• 1990s: Throughout the 1990s, both clubs played in the second and third tiers of English football, with Fulham working its way back up to the Premier League by the early 2000s.

The Premier League Era (2000s – Present)

• 2000s: Fulham’s resurgence came under Mohamed Al-Fayed after his acquisition of the club in 1997, with Fulham achieving promotion to the Premier League in 2001. They then became a stable Premier League club, under the management of Chris Coleman and later Roy Hodgson.

• Sunderland had its fair share of Premier League appearances during this time, having relegations and promotions, but in general, they had a more tumultuous time in the top division, particularly in the 2010s. Sunderland reached their highest point with a Premier League finish in the early 2000s but spent the latter part of the 2010s battling relegation before their final drop to the Championship in 2017.

• Fulham’s Meetings with Sunderland:

  • 2000s – 2010s: In the Premier League, the fixtures between Fulham and Sunderland were often competitive. Both clubs were often found in mid-table or battling relegation, so their matchups were critical for their respective survival in the Premier League.

  • Notable Matches: One of the most memorable matches between the two clubs occurred in 2007, when Fulham defeated Sunderland 3-1 at Craven Cottage. That win was key to Fulham’s survival in the Premier League during a season where they struggled near the bottom.

  • 2014: One of the last Premier League encounters between the two clubs came in 2014, with Sunderland defeating Fulham 4-1 at Craven Cottage, helping them stay in the top tier while Fulham was relegated.

Recent History (Post-2017)

• Sunderland’s Relegation and Return to Championship: Sunderland was relegated from the Premier League in 2017 and has since played in the Championship and League One. Their struggles continued as they sought promotion back to the Premier League.

• Fulham’s Recent Years: Fulham, after being relegated in 2014, has also seen promotion and relegation cycles between the Premier League and Championship. They achieved promotion back to the Premier League in 2018 and remained a competitive team in the Premier League for the 2020-21 season, before being relegated again.

Head-to-Head Record

• Historically, Sunderland has had the edge in their head-to-head record, particularly due to their earlier dominance in English football during the First Division years.

• Fulham, however, has had some key wins in recent Premier League encounters, though the overall record between the clubs is relatively balanced, with both sides winning their fair share of matches.

Rivalry Today

• While there isn’t a particularly fierce rivalry between Fulham and Sunderland, their meetings have often been crucial in terms of league survival, with both teams having fluctuating fortunes in the Premier League.

• The rivalry is more a reflection of both clubs’ similar aspirations to remain in the top flight or bounce back from relegation, making every matchup important, especially when they are both in the same division.

Conclusion

Fulham vs Sunderland has always been a fixture involving teams with contrasting fortunes in English football. While Sunderland was historically more successful, Fulham has had its own share of highs, particularly in recent years, and their encounters remain a significant part of both clubs’ histories. The two teams’ meetings in recent years have been reflective of their positions in English football—often competitive and significant for relegation battles or promotions.