Fulham down Sunderland

London - American forward Clint Dempsey scored the 50th goal of his Premier League career to help Fulham to a 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Dempsey scored his 23rd goal of the season with a superbly-taken free kick in the 12th minute. Defender Philip Bardsley levelled for Sunderland in the 34th minute with a shot from the edge of the area but Mousa Dembele restored Fulham's lead just a minute later with a deflected drive which found the top corner.

The introduction of substitutes Nicklas Bendtner and Frazier Campbell saw Sunderland end on a high but the visitors could not find a way past Fulham, who secured their fifth win in seven games.

The run leaves the west London side with a record-equalling seventh-place finish within reach. They currently lie eighth, a point behind Everton.