Fulham 1-4 Sunderland
Adam Johnson fired a hat-trick as Sunderland cruised to victory in the basement battle at Craven Cottage.
Steve Sidwell's header proved in vain as two goals in each half saw the Black Cats secure a vital three points and suck the Cottagers closer to the drop zone.
Rene Meulensteen made one change from the side that beat West Ham 10 days ago, with Clint Dempsey coming in for Kieran Richardson.
The home should've been ahead inside 10 minutes, but Dimitar Berbatov squandered two good chances to give the Cottagers the lead.
At the other end, Phil Bardsley forced a good stop out of David Stockdale in the Fulham goal.
Steven Fletcher headed over for Sunderland under pressure from Stockdale, while Adel Taarabt stung the hands of Vito Mannone.
However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark. Johnson stepped up to a curl a free-kick into the top right-hand corner, that Stockdale could only palm into the net.
Fulham were fortunate not to fall further behind shortly after when Stockdale flapped at a cross, but fortunately Ki Sung-Yeung couldn't find a way through a crowded box.
But the Black Cats did double their advantage four minutes before the break. Johnson's free-kick caught Fulham napping, and Ki's shot was deflected in off Philippe Senderos.
Meulensteen's men came flying out of the traps after the interval and pulled one back on 50 minutes. Duff sent in a teasing inswinging corner from the right, and Sidwell stooped to nod the ball from close range.
However, Johnson restored Sunderland's two-goal lead midway through the second half. Ki's perfectly-weighted pass unlocked the Fulham defence, with Johnson ghosting in at the back stick to slot the ball under Stockdale.
The former Manchester City winger completed his hat-trick five minutes from time. Senderos tripped Jozy Altidore in the box, and Johnson stepped up to stroke home the penalty.
Fulham: Stockdale, Riether, Senderos, Amorebieta, Riise, Duff (Dejagah 68), Parker, Sidwell, Dempsey (Bent 79), Taarabt (Kasami 63), Berbatov.
Subs (not used): Etheridge, Hughes, Richardson, Kacaniklic.
