Referee Mike Riley called a halt to the game with the visitors leading 1-0 after the rain and heavy snow which had lashed the Stadium of Light for more than an hour finally took its toll.

Riley stopped play on 14 minutes to ask fourth official Eddie Ilderton to get further information, and consulted him again five minutes later on his return.

However, he finally called the match off two minutes later after consulting both Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball and Cottagers manager Chris Coleman.

Fulham had taken the lead when Brian McBride turned home Steed Malbranque’s ninth-minute cross, but the pitch was clearly unplayable.

The Black Cats will be relegated if West Bromwich Albion defeat Aston Villa on Sunday.