Bottom club Sunderland F.C. grabbed a hugely significant victory away to Fulham in the Premier League today, with a massive 1-4 win courtesy of an Adam Johnson hat-trick. The former England international was immense, as he scored 3 of the goals and assisted the fourth in a win that brings the Wearsiders to within a point of 17th place, and takes them off the foot of the table on goal difference. Johnson opened the scoring on 29 minutes from a 25-yard free-kick, his second of the week after his goal in the FA Cup last weekend. Sunderland extended their lead on 43 minutes; again coming from a Johnson free-kick. The Englishman popped the free-kick back to Ki Sung-Yueng, who blasted it in through a forest of bodies to leave Sunderland 0-2 in front at the interval. Fulham got one back after the break; Sidwell managing to nod home a Damien Duff corner on 52 minutes, bringing the Cottagers right back into the game. However, Sunderland regained control on 69 minutes, with Ki Sung Yueng feeding Johnson for his second on a quick counter-attack. The points were secure on 85 minutes after Jozy Altidore was bundled over by Philippe Senderos for a penalty, and Johnson nestled it in the bottom corner for his hat-trick and for an extremely important three points for the Wearsiders in their fight to stave off the drop. Fulham: Stockdale, Riether, Senderos, Amorebieta, Riise, Parker, Sidwell, Duff, Dempsey, Taarabt, Berbatov. Subs: Kasami for Taarabt (63), Dejagah for Duff (68), Bent for Dempsey (79). Sunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Alonso, Ki, Cattermole, Colback, Johnson, Fletcher, Borini. Subs: Larsson for Borini (75), Celustka for Johnson (87), Altidore for Fletcher (66), Referee: Mike Dean
Diarmuid is a freelance student and studious sports journalist operating out of the wilds of Dublin, Ireland. His specialist subjects include the English Premier League, the GAA, and track and field athletics.
