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Fulham vs. Southampton: Premier League – Saints Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

Southampton's French midfielder Ibrahima Diallo vies with Fulham's English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek (L) during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Southampton at Craven Cottage in London on December 26, 2020. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's French midfielder Ibrahima Diallo vies with Fulham's English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek (L) during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Southampton at Craven Cottage in London on December 26, 2020. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Fulham’s Portuguese striker Ivan Cavaleiro (R) vies with Southampton’s English goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Fulham’s Portuguese striker Ivan Cavaleiro (R) vies with Southampton’s English goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Southampton had to settle with a point in a rare nil-nil draw away to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Ralph Hasenhuttl was forced into changes with three of his core starters sidelined.  Oriol Romeu finally earned his yellow card induced suspension and Jannik Vestergaard and Danny Ings were both deemed unfit for Fulham.  Ibrahima Diallo was a shoe-in to start alongside James Ward-Prowse and was handed his full debut.  Shane Long earned a surprise start, partnering with Che Adams and Jack Stephens held his place in front of Mohammed Salisu as Hasenhuttl went with experience in a Boxing Day away match.

Southampton’s bench was made up of youth presently pushing the first team.  Will Smallbone finally made an appearance after dealing with early season injury.  Jake Voikins, Yan Valery, and Michael Obafemi were also involved despite the latter two rumoured to be told they could leave for the right offer.  Nathan Tella and Dan N’Lundulu held their places as the pair who are on the verge of breaking into regular lineups.

Fulham made the match very difficult for Southampton.  Ralph Hasenhuttl anticipated the compactness and altered tactics to play more direct to his strikers.  Winning second balls was important to create chances, but Theo Walcott and Stuart Armstrong found little room to run.  Shane Long produced the loan strike on target, of course not counting the two Saints’ goals which found the back of the net.

VAR greatly impacted the game, rightfully overturning Long and Walcott’s finishes.  More question will be asked of the Ryan Bertrand cross which was reviewed to clearly hit the harm of a Fulham defender inside the penalty area.  A chance to put a ball into a dangerous area with two attackers lurking was denied by an arm, but not seen as enough to award a spot kick which would have won the game.

Based on standings alone many will see this as 2 points dropped, but it was a very difficult game with the spine of the team absent.  Fulham were well drilled and had they taken their own chances, they might have won.  Yes, Southampton have been in great form, but with four straight draws, Craven Cottage has become a more difficult place to visit.  Here are the Saints’ player ratings from a 0-0 draw on Boxing Day.