Good afternoon and welcome to live text coverage of Fulham vs. Sunderland in the Premier League. No doubt, this is a relegation six-pointer today.

The hosts are 16th, two points ahead of Crystal Palace in 18th. A win this afternoon would give them some much-needed breathing space and push them closer to mid table. For Sunderland, avoiding defeat is crucial. They are desperate for the points.

Since the arrival of Rene Meulensteen, Fulham have moved out of the bottom three with some decent performances. However, the 6-0 thrashing against Hull City showed that they are still very much in danger.

The team news is in, and we will start with the home side.

FULHAM: Stockdale; Riether, Senderos, Amorebieta, Riise; Duff, Parker, Sidwell, Dempsey; Taarabt; Berbatov

SUBS: Kasami, Kacaniklic, Richardson, Hughes, Dejagah, Etheridge, Bent

SUNDERLAND: Mannone, Bardsley, Alonso, Brown, O'Shea; Cattermole, Colback, Ki, Johnson; Borini, Fletcher.

SUBS: Larsson, Gardner, Celustka, Altidore, Giaccherini, Ji, Pickford

The big news for Fulham is that Clint Dempsey makes his first start since returning to the club on loan from the Seattle Sounders. He lines up behind Berbatov. For Sunderland, Gus Poyet makes two changes, with Adam Johnson in for Emanuele Giaccherini and Jack Colback in for Sebastian Larsson.

So, what can we expect from today? Fulham have won two of their last three to move outside the relegation zone, but they cannot get complacent. Incredibly, the Cottagers have drawn just once this season, and have a joint division-high of 13 defeats from their 20 league games.

Their problems exist in defence. I mentioned the 6-0 defeat against Hull earlier, and the stats do not make for good reading for Fulham fans. They have conceded 42 goals this season, which is the most of any Premier League team. The Cottagers have also conceded the first goal in a league-high 15 games, although have they come from behind to win on three occasions.

Even with the recent upturn in form, Elsad Zverotic has called on his teammates not to underestimate the Black Cats. He told the club's official website: "They [Sunderland] are at the bottom right now, but they've shown that they're a very capable side on their day. They beat Manchester United 2-1 in the League Cup this week, and that would have given them a lot of confidence. They've actually had some very good results; beating Newcastle United, Manchester City and Everton this season. They also defeated Chelsea in the League Cup and ran them close in the league."

"Gus Poyet has come in as Head Coach, and he's having a good effect. He has some good players in his side, and we'll have to be very aware of that when they come to Craven Cottage," he added.

Rene Meulensteen has had his say on today's match...

Renè Meulensteen: "This is a massive game for us. We all know how important it is to win our home games." http://t.co/1Pl4QhjhKm — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 11, 2014

There seems to have been a confident mood around Fulham this week, and some of that good will could be because of the appointments of Alan Curbishley and Ray Wilkins as First Team Technical Director and Assistant Head Coach respectively.

"They're very highly respected, both of them," John Arne Riise told the club's official website. "They've been brilliant in the dressing room and they've been helping Rene a lot with their experience because he wants to learn from different people. We don't see much of Curbishley as he's more observing, whereas Ray's in the dressing room and talks before the games and in training. He's very quiet but he gets his message across."

What has been important in Meulensteen's tenure is his form against fellow strugglers. He has guided his team to wins against Aston Villa, Norwich City and West Ham United, resulting in nine points in seven games. In contrast, Martin Jol collected 10 points from his 13 Premier League games in charge.

Considering that, Fulham will be quietly confident about picking up a win today, but Sunderland will not go down without a fight.

Their problem has been an inability to convert their good cup form to the league. If they could, they might not be bottom of the table, but the fact is they have won just one in nine in the league.

Speaking during the week, Poyet called on his big players to deliver. He told the Chronicle: "I know what we need to get out of the trouble we are in and obviously the key is to win games regularly. To do that in this league, you need a number of things. The key to games nowadays, especially at the bottom, is that you need to be organised, you need to difficult to beat, you need to be strong, mentally and physically and finally you need the players, the best players, who can produce a bit of magic, to do that for you."

The Black Cats boss has also told his players that they need to win eight games to have any hope of avoiding the drop. "We are looking at around 40 points and that means winning eight games and picking up a few draws," he told the Daily Star. "But it is important to get those wins as soon as possible. We are right in the mix, which wasn't the case a few weeks ago. Now we have to climb ahead of some teams. The Fulham game can change the season, so I am really looking forward to it.

The away side have started to tighten up at the back, with three clean sheets in five. They are also unbeaten in their last four away matches in the league, which is their best run since 1999.

The problem is a lack of goals, with only five on their travels all season. However, with Fulham's leaky defence, surely we will have goals this afternoon?

REF WATCH: Our referee today is Mike Dean, who has twice been in charge of this fixture before.

PREDICTION: We're almost ready to get underway here, but there's just time for a prediction. Both sides need the points, so could that produce nerves in the players? I think it probably will, so I'm going for a 1-1 draw.

The players are in the tunnel and it's a crisp, sunny day at Craven Cottage.

KICKOFF! Here we go then. Sunderland get us underway.

The ball has yet to be played forward. Fulham currently have it in the middle of the park. They go long, but Sunderland bring it out.

No chances for either side as yet in the opening couple of minutes. Sascha Riether did get in a good position to cross, but his delivery was poor and easily cleared.

No doubt that Fulham look comfortable on the ball. With Berbatov, Dempsey and Taarabt on the pitch, they have plenty of attacking talent to call on.

CHANCE! This is a good chance for Berbatov to give the home side the lead. A corner is swung in and the striker gets up highest, but his header is weak and Mannone has an easy catch.

Poor play again by Berbatov! Brown is sloppy in possession and loses the ball in a dangerous area. Riether plays in a low cross to his teammate, but Berbatov fails to control it and the ball goes out for a goal kick.

Sunderland show their attacking intent for the first time this afternoon, as Borini touches a great ball through looking for Colback, but the home defence do well to get it away.

Dangerous moments in the Sunderland box. Again Fulham find space down the right, but the ball in is eventually cleared.

WIDE! Fulham continue to look the better side and this time Taarabt fires well wide from the edge of the box. It was a poor shot, but you can't blame him for having a go.

WIDE! Again Fulham try their luck from distance, and Dempsey isn't far away with a low shot that bobbles wide of the post.

SAVE! Stockdale is called into action for the first time this afternoon, and it's a decent save. Bardsley cuts in from the left and powers a shot at goal. However, Stockdale gets down well to push it away.

The Black Cats have seen more of the ball in these last few minutes. They now have a free kick about 35 yards from goal.

OVER THE BAR! Good chance for the away side! Johnson goes deep with the set piece and O'Shea heads the ball back into the box. Fletcher gets there first but directs his header over the bar.

SAVE! This match has yet to spark into life, but it's still a good watch. Duff curls a cross in and Riether flicks it on, but Berbatov can't reach it. Moments later, Taarabt shows his skill to skip past a defender, but the angle is tight and Mannone pushes his shot out for a corner.

Johnson is brought down by Sidwell on the edge of the box. This could be dangerous.

What a great goal by Johnson! He steps up to take the set piece and curls it over the wall with pace. Stockdale gets a touch, but he can't keep it out.

YELLOW CARD! Bardsley gets a booking for kicking the ball away.

OVER THE BAR! Parker has loads of space about 30 yards from goal. The fans urge him to shoot, and he does, but he gets it all wrong and the ball goes well over.

Fulham have the ball in the net, but it is disallowed for offside... or possibly a foul. Either way, it's still 1-0 to Sunderland. It was a great finish by Dempsey, however.

Ki Sung-Yueng curls the ball in and Stockdale goes up to collect, but drops it around the penalty spot. Luckily, his defenders help him out and boot the ball away.

YELLOW CARD! Sidwell is booked for persistent fouling.

Sunderland are on top, and Alonso almost finds Borini at the near post but it goes out for a corner. It flashes across goal, but evades everyone.

It goes from bad to worse for the home side. The Black Cats have doubled their lead and you have to say that they deserve it. Firstly, Riise is booked for a foul on Borini. The set piece is sent in and Ki Sung-Yueng fires home a right-footed shot. 2-0!

We're into the last minute of normal time in this first half. Fulham have been unable to respond since that second goal. Poyet will be a happy man at the break.

Jam packed away end very happy after Sunderland go 2-0 up #redandwhitearmy pic.twitter.com/soRzf8y7Xe — Sunderland AFC (@SAFCofficial) January 11, 2014

Sunderland's players run off the pitch with a comfortable lead at half time. For the first 15 minutes, Fulham were the better side, but the Black Cats gradually came back and fully deserve their lead.

Ki's goal was the club's 7000th in the league - #SAFC only the 10th club to achieve that feat. — Sunderland AFC (@SAFCofficial) January 11, 2014

Fulham look nervy at the back, and the likes of Berbatov and Taarabt need to do more when they get the ball. Taarabt in particular has been poor. Of course, Bent is on the bench, so Meulensteen might feel that a change is needed during half time.

The stats say that Fulham have had 53% of possession, and eight shots compared to Sunderland's five. However, the visitors have had four on target, two more than their opponents.

Sunderland don't need to change anything in the second half. They have contained the threat and looked dangerous when going forward. Adam Johnson has shown what he is capable of, and Ki Sung-Yueng has used the ball effectively.

KICKOFF! We're underway in the second half. What a crucial 45 minutes this could be.

We've yet to have a good chance in the opening stages of the second half. Both teams are content to pass it around midfield.

I think we will see changes for Fulham in a moment. For now, the home side have a free kick on the right of Sunderland's penalty box.

That is cleared, but the ball is worked down the right side and Riether tries to find Berbatov with a driven cross, but Mannone gathers.

This is such a cheap goal for Sunderland to concede. A corner is delivered and Sidwell heads home from close range to halve the deficit. Very poor defending by Poyet's side.

The away side are having to deal with some real pressure now. Fulham are energised by their goal, and at the moment it is they who look the more likely to score.

Poyet is urging his players to up the ante. Do they attack and risk a Fulham equaliser? Or sit back and invite pressure? Fortune often favours the brave.

YELLOW CARD! Colback gets a yellow for bringing down Taarabt.

The game is very open now. Spaces are opening up all over the pitch, and Johnson should do better when clean through, but he holds the ball up and Fulham clear. Borini comes forward, but he fires wide of the post.

YELLOW CARD! Another booking, and this time it's Parker for a foul on Johnson.

SAVE! Sunderland push on and Cattermole comes close to a rare goal, but his deflected shot is well saved by Stockdale. Fletcher then heads wide from the corner.

FULHAM SUB: A first change for Fulham as Taarabt makes way for Kasami.

A mix up between Stockdale and Senderos nearly lets in Fletcher, but the pair manage to get the ball away. Stockdale is a lucky boy.

SUNDERLAND SUB: Fletcher is replaced by Jozy Altidore.

Tempers are beginning to get heated, and not surprisingly Cattermole is involved. Sidwell bites back, but the pair shake hands and make up.

This is an absolutely brilliant goal! Sunderland counter and Ki Sung-Yueng plays a delicate one-two with Altidore. The midfielder then moves forward and waits before playing the perfect through ball to Johnson. He then slides his shot under Stockdale.

That goal has deflated the home fans and Fulham players. Just before that they were very much in with a chance of grabbing an equaliser. They must now respond again.

YELLOW CARD! I think Johnson was booked for removing his shirt during his celebrations.

SUNDERLAND SUB: Larsson comes on for Borini and immediately runs across the pitch to take a Sunderland set piece.

Fulham are seeing plenty of the ball, but they are not doing enough with it. I think Darren Bent is ready to come on, but he will need better service than what Berbatov and Dempsey have had this afternoon.

SAVE! Kasami does well down the left to skip past a challenge and deliver a cross. It takes a deflection and loops up. Mannone has to watch it and tips it away from danger.

FULHAM SUB: Here comes Bent for Dempsey.

It could and probably should be all over. The Black Cats break and have men arriving in the box. However, the pass is poor and Altidore is unable to bring it under control.

CHANCE! Fulham try to work it through the middle but there's a great tackle from Brown. The resulting corner is then cleared. Brilliant defending.

Game over! Altidore beats a couple of challenges before Senderos sticks out a lazy leg and brings him down. Johnson steps up and calmly slots the ball in for his hat-trick!

SUNDERLAND SUB: Johnson comes off to rapturous applause as Celustka takes his place.

SAVE! How on earth has this not gone in!? The ball is curled in and Sidwell throws his body at it. However, somehow Mannone keeps it out and Brown hacks clear.

We have four minutes added on. Sunderland are wasting time down at the corner flag.

Larsson almost works his way through on goal, but he is crowded out. Sunderland looking for a fifth goal!

It's all over at Craven Cottage. A dreadful afternoon for Rene Meulensteen and his Fulham side. Quite simply, they were unable to deal with the pace and quality of Adam Johnson. He runs back on the pitch to pick up the match ball, and rightly so. He was superb.

Sunderland are off the bottom of the Premier League table thanks to a better goal difference than Crystal Palace. The key now is that they use today's performance to kickstart their season. This could be a turning point.

That's all from me for now. Stay with us for reaction and other news. Have a good evening!