Fulham 0-1 Southampton: Match recap
By Erik Franzo
Southampton fans can breathe a sigh of relief after watching their side win their first game since November – a 1-0 FA Cup victory over Championship side Fulham.
The saints fielded a strong side that saw only two changes from their 1-2 loss to Crystal Palace. Jan Bednarek made a rare appearance, starting at right-back for the injured Jeremy Pied. Steven Davis took over the #10 role typically occupied by Dusan Tadic.
Southampton controlled the opening ten minutes of possession, but once again failed to create anything going forward. hane Long did put the ball in the back of the net, but was deemed offside, which after replay was a lot closer than originally thought.
Fulham would threaten to score and looked early and often to their young standout Ryan Sessegnon. The Londoner’s best shot though was blocked away by Maya Yoshida.
In the 29th minute, Southampton went ahead thanks to a reactionary goal by James Ward-Prowse. Yoshida’s long pass found Steven Davis who cushioned it into Sofiane Boufal’s path. However, a failed connection with Long, saw the ball bounce off a Fulham defender, into the path of Ward-Prowse, who’s low left-footed shot found the corner. A welcome reward for the 5,000 traveling fans, who were excellent throughout the game.
Southampton responded incredibly well to the opening goal. Displaying confidence, and taking full control of the first half, until a brief Fulham spell just before the whistle.
Saints fans were anxious to see Mauricio’s Pellegrino’s team tactics coming out of the tunnel with another 1-0 lead. Would the team push for a second goal, or nervously protect the scoreline?
Unfortunately, it was more of the same old story.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had his best opportunity of the season to put the Saints ahead 2-0. After picking up the ball in the midfield, he combined beautifully with Shane Long, only to be denied on the six yard box by Fulham goalkeeper David Button.
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To sum up Fulham’s attack, Alex McCarthy made his first save of the match in the 60th minute. However, just five minutes later, Lucas Piazon would miss the ball entirely after being left alone on the back post.
Southampton’s tactics were beginning to look all too familiar, losing more of the possession, and opting to spring forward on the counter-attack. Again, lacking the poise in the attacking third to put the game away.
Pellegrino’s first change came in the 70th minute. Sofiane Boufal made way for Nathan Redmond. A substitution that looked far too obvious, as the Moroccan failed to produce an end product in a game he could have dominated.
Jack Stephens hit the crossbar in the 74th minute. A corner flicked-on by Long left the Southampton centre-back with a sure goal, but was denied by the woodwork.
Fulham had exhausted all its substitutions by the 75th minute. A set piece would follow their final move, and maybe their chance of the match. Alex McCarthy came off his line to punch the ball away, only to run into his teammate. Fortunately for Southampton, Denis Odoi’s chance would sail over the bar with a wide open goal.
It took 79 minutes for Pellegrino to make the second Southampton change. Mario Lemina came on for Hojbjerg who left to a warm ovation from Saints fans. Manolo Gabbiadini would be the final substitution, coming on for preferred striker, Shane Long.
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Southampton’s lack of confidence scripted the final ten minutes. Sitting back in a defensive shell, and looking lost when given opportunities to put the game away. Emphasized by Gabbiadini’s strike over goal in stoppage time.
The final whistle could not come soon enough, and the Southampton player reactions were more of relief than joy. Pellegrino displayed little emotion as he shook the hand of opposing coach Slavisa Jokanovic, and turned toward the field.
The nine game winless steak may be over with the 1-0 victory, but it was the same old underlying Southampton story, just against a Championship opponent.