Player ratings as Southampton stun Fulham in pulsating FA Cup fifth round tie

It would be difficult to describe Sunday's victory over Fulham as a giant-killing act. Fulham is hardly a Goliath of a club, and Southampton is certainly not a puny David.

Ross Stewart's last-minute penalty was enough to send the Saints through to the quarter-finals and capped a professional counter-attacking performance at Craven Cottage.

Player ratings as Southampton dump Fulham out of the cup

Southampton lineup: (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeepers and defenders

Goalkeeper - Daniel Peretz: 8/10 - Southampton’s shot-stopper was on top form, saving a point-blank Ryan Sessegnon shot with his face and commanding his area like a giant.

Right-back - James Bree: 8/10 - Bree managed Samuel Chukwueze very well, limiting the Nigerian to just one shot on target. Bree managed a titanic 12 clearances in a brilliant defensive display from the Saints.

Centre-back - Taylor Harwood-Bellis: 9/10 - Easily the best defensive performance of any player on the pitch today. Four blocked shots, three clearances, two tackles, and a brilliant interception tell the story of today's man of the match.

Centre-back - Nathan Wood: 7/10 - A solid performance from Wood today. He relishes playing alongside Harwood-Bellis. Wood made six clearances in a good all-round display.

Left-back Ryan Manning: 7/10 - Strong in the tackle and solid defensively against Premier League opponents.

Midfielders

Central midfielder - Flynn Downes: 8/10 - Downes was involved in everything today. He played on the edge and picked up a deserved yellow card for dissent. Passed the ball well and tackled like a feral animal.

Central midfielder - Caspar Jander: 7/10 - Jander showed why he is so highly rated. Made a mistake in the first half, giving the ball away with a wayward cross-field pass. Put that right by making up 50 yards to block the shot that resulted from his error. Jander tired later in the match and was replaced by Cameron Bragg.

Attackers

Right winger - Tom Fellows: 6/10 - Pushed back by Ryan Sessegnon for most of the match, but had two opportunities to impress going forward. He blazed a cross way too high in the first half and wasted a good chance to score in the second half.

Attacking midfielder - Finn Azaz: 7/10 - Azaz is not everybody's cup of tea, but he showed his class again today, winning the penalty for Stewart's winner

Left winger - Leo Scienza: 7.5/10 - The Brazilian should have put Saints ahead when he placed his shot wide when through one-on-one with the keeper. Showed glimpses of his quality, especially when he dribbled through the middle of the pitch to put Azaz through on goal in the first half.

Striker - Cyle Larin: 8.5/10 - The Canadian put himself about well and offered an outlet throughout. Held the ball up brilliantly and was the focal point for most of his team's counter-attacks.

Substitutes

Cameron Bragg - 6/10
Kuryu Matsuki - 6/10
Ross Stewart - 8/10
Samuel Edozie - 6/10