Junichi Inamoto was the star of the show as Fulham secured their first away win of the season and made it a disappointing few days for Sunderland.

A flash of brilliance from the in-form Japanese international gave Fulham the lead in the opening period.

And he played his part in second-half goals from Barry Hayles and Steve Marlet after the break to heap further misery on the Black Cats.

Despite plenty of effort from the home side, Sunderland's struggles in front of goal continued and they go into next week's crunch clash at Newcastle with serious problems.

Under-pressure boss Peter Reid stuck by the side that went down 3-0 to derby rivals Middlesbrough in midweek, while Fulham made five changes to the side that come back to beat Tottenham on Wednesday.

Michael Gray's cross found Piper but his well-directed header was brilliantly kept out by Edwin van der Sar and then Stewart was denied by a combination of Van der Sar and Brevett.

Fulham responded in the best possible way in the 34th minute when Inamoto controlled a cross from Brevett and fired the ball past Thomas Sorensen with his left foot.

It was the 22-year-old Japanese midfielder's sixth goal of the season and second in four days.

Sorensen's poor clearance fell to Inamoto and he released the striker, who held off Stephen Wright to score on his first Premiership start of the season.

Reid immediately threw on Niall Quinn for winger Thomas Butler and Gavin McCann for Jason McAteer.

They won a succession of corners, but their efforts on goal were restricted to a weak shot from defender Phil Babb.

With Sunderland throwing men forward, Fulham broke and a through ball from Inamoto saw Marlet in the clear and he comfortably beat Sorensen.

It secured Fulham's first victory on Wearside in the top flight for 50 years and moved the London club up to fifth in the table.

Sunderland went close through Quinn late on, but they remain third bottom with just five points from six games.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Gray, Wright, Bjorklund, Babb, Butler (Quinn 56), McAteer (McCann 56), Reyna, Piper, Stewart, Flo.
Subs Not Used: Bellion, Macho, Williams.

Booked: Gray, Wright.

Fulham: Van der Sar, Brevett, Ouaddou, Goma, Knight, Goldbaek, Inamoto (Collins 85), Davis, Legwinski, Marlet, Hayles (Sava 76).
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Melville, Stolcers.

Booked: Brevett, Hayles.

Attendance: 35,432

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside)