Southampton 3-1 Fulham

Fulham showed good character but fell to defeat against Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.

There were positives to take as Fabio Carvalho got his goal on his full debut, but ultimately it wasn’t enough to take any points back to London.

Scott Parker named four changes from Burnley on Monday night, most notably including a first start for Carvalho and a return from a knock for Harrison Reed.

Ola Aina also came back into the fold with Antonee Robinson picking up an injury, and Josh Onomah replaced Mario Lemina in the other swap.

It was a cagey opening to the game on the South Coast as both sides found their feet in the pouring rain, and it was Southampton who had the first sniff of goal after 16 minutes. Takumi Minamino wriggled his way into a threatening position inside the Fulham box, but just as he wound up to shoot Aina came back to block smartly.

Less than 10 minutes later and the Saints took the lead. After Joachim Andersen’s tug on James Ward-Prowse’s arm warranted a free-kick in the eyes of the referee, the midfielder got up to take. His swinging ball from the right into the corridor of uncertainly was perfect for Che Adams, who swept home from close range to give his side the advantage.

In a game limited of chances, one did fall to our debutant, Carvalho, on the half hour mark. Ivan Cavaleiro was looking lively and did well to dribble into some space and pull it back for the youngster, but he couldn’t quite dig out his shot properly and it was comfortable for Alex McCarthy in the Southampton net.

As has been the case on many occasions this season, the home side were proving to be a real menace from set pieces, thanks to the right boot of Ward-Prowse. After 36 minutes he had a prime opportunity to make it two with a free-kick on the edge of the area, but Alphonse Areola clawed away his goalward effort.

The second half started much like the first as both teams dueled for possession with neither able to pierce through the opposing defence.

On the 59^th minute, Adams looked to turn provider slotting through Nathan Redmond down the left, but the combination of Kenny Tete’s breath down his neck and Areola’s smart positioning were enough to keep the winger out on this occasion.

But it wasn’t to be long until the Saints got a second, through Nathan Tella on the hour mark. After driving forward down the right, Kyle Walker-Peters delivered a pinpoint cross into the path of Tella, who poked home calmly at the back post.

Fulham showed character thereafter to come back into the game, working a couple of decent chances in the moments to follow. First, Bobby De Cordova-Reid sent in a cross towards Cavaleiro, who would’ve been able to get a shot off if not for a last-gasp tackle from Jack Stephens.

Next, Joe Bryan fired one off from the edge of the box after a Cavaleiro cut-back, but it soared over McCarthy’s net this time.

Bryan was involved again moments later this time slotting in De Cordova-Reid, but Mohammed Salisu was there to prevent his shot from heading towards goal.

In the 75^th minute the Fulham fight was rewarded, with our youngster the one to profit. After latching onto De Cordova-Reid’s through ball, Carvalho picked his head up and slammed the ball home off the crossbar and there was no stopping that one.

Our resurgence was halted on 82 minutes as Theo Walcott secured Southampton the three points with a third. Collecting Tella’s backheel 25 yards from goal, Walcott’s shot looped in courtesy of a deflection.

We go again on Tuesday evening against Manchester United at Old Trafford as we aim to close out the season positively.