Southampton 1-1 Fulham

Neeskens Kebano’s penalty earnt Fulham a 1-1 draw with a strong Southampton side in our latest pre-season friendly.

The Whites started the stronger at the Saints’ Staplewood training complex, but the hosts grew into the game and took the lead early in the second half through Shane Long.

But Marco Silva’s side continued to create, and got a deserved equaliser from 12 yards after Anthony Knockaert was fouled in the box.

Fabri was the first goalkeeper to be called into action when Theo Walcott broke the lines five minutes in, but the Spaniard got fingertips to push his shot around the post.

Fulham responded four minutes later when Antonee Robinson got into space down the left. His cross managed to get to Fabio Carvalho, but with two defenders in close proximity he could only swing an effort wide.

The Whites were enjoying the lion’s share of possession, but the first quarter of the game was a fairly low-key encounter, with the two teams matching each other evenly.

Saints enjoyed their best spell of concerted pressure after the half hour mark, but our backline held firm to deny them any openings.

Che Adams managed to get a shot away on 36 minutes, but he was off balance and dragged it way wide.

The hosts had grown into the game and almost went in front when Nathan Tella planted a header into the postage stamp, but Fabri showed good agility to fly across and tip it over.

After getting into half-time level, it was a shame to concede so early into the second half, with Long tapping in after the ball was put on a plate for him.

A half chance came Fulham’s way minutes later when Josh Onomah’s clever pass sent Knockaert scampering down the right. His deep cross was a difficult one for Kebano to connect with, though, and his left footed volley sliced wide.

Some cute link-up play down the left between Kebano and Frank Anguissa culminated in the former chipping a cross towards the near post where Carvalho was lurking, but his first time effort was blocked.

Anguissa almost scored a beautiful equaliser when he collected Knockaert’s pass, dinked the ball beyond his man, ran around to collect it and smashed an effort on target, but a strong arm from Fraser Forster diverted it behind.

Long had a chance to get his and Southampton’s second midway through the half when he managed to round Fabri, but Tim Ream was mopping up and able to clear off the line.

At the other end, a brilliant delivery from Kebano was inviting for Maxime Le Marchand, only for a covering defender to take it off his toes.

Moments later, the Whites were awarded a penalty. Anguissa drove forward from midfield before playing Knockaert who cut inside and was chopped down.

Kebano took responsibility and made no mistake, sending Forster the wrong way.

The goal gave Fulham a shot in the arm and we pushed for a winner, with Jean Seri’s first time spinning pass sending Aboubakar Kamara into the box, though Forster was equal to his strike on the angle.

Anguissa almost won it on 88 minutes when he stole possession 20 yards out and let fly, but Forster made a sprawling save to push it behind.

That was the final chance of the game, as Fulham got some more valuable minutes in the tank, while more than matching our Premier League opposition.