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Fulham 0-1 Southampton: Carabao Cup – Three Key Saints Players

By Harry Tizard

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Luca De La Torre of Fulham and Kevin Danso of Southampton battle for the ball during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Fulham and Southampton at Craven Cottage on August 27, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Luca De La Torre of Fulham and Kevin Danso of Southampton battle for the ball during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Fulham and Southampton at Craven Cottage on August 27, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Nathan Redmond of Southampton shoots and misses during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Fulham and Southampton at Craven Cottage on August 27, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Nathan Redmond of Southampton shoots and misses during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Fulham and Southampton at Craven Cottage on August 27, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images) /

Nathan Redmond 

Despite being taken off with quarter of an hour to go, there is no doubt that English winger Nathan Redmond was one of the key players in Southampton’s win against Fulham.

Playing down the left wing, the former Norwich City man constantly put the Lilly Whites under through his direct running with the ball on the counter attack and forced them back towards their own box. Although he cracked two shots slightly past the post and hitting a tame effort at Slovakian shot stopper Marek Rodak, it should been seen as an encouraging sign that he is getting into the positions and has the confidence to have a go rather than a frustration that he couldn’t challenge the keeper this time out.

The unpredictability of the twenty-five year old on Tuesday night was the most dangerous asset of his game. When just outside of the opposition box, the Cottagers back four where constantly caught in two minds. If they pressed onto him, they knew that would open up the space for another Southampton attacker for Redmond to play the ball into, but if they sat off him, he has the ability in his locker to use the yard of space to hit a shot – keeping Rodak on his toes.

In combination with this, the direct running towards the Fulham box was the main reason why the Saints broke the deadlock, latching on to a ball over the top from Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg, and playing the ball through the middle of the two Fulham centre backs to give Michael Obafemi a tap in from three yards out.

With Nathan Redmond coming off injured with fifteen minutes of normal time to play, Southampton staff and fans alike wait nervously to see how serious it could be.