Southampton stay rock bottom after late defeat at Fulham

Updated: Oct 17, 2023, 08:56 pm

Southampton will end the year rock bottom of the Premier League and facing a fight for survival after conceding a late goal to slide to a 2-1 defeat by Fulham on Saturday.

New manager Nathan Jones looked set to earn his first point in charge until Joao Palhinha's well-directed header restored Fulham's lead in the 88th minute.

Aleksandar Mitrovic then had a stoppage-time penalty saved by Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu but the damage was done as Saints suffered a fifth successive league defeat.

Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse's superb free kick in the 56th minute looked like securing a draw which would have lifted his side off the foot of the table.

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It made amends after he had scored at the wrong end in the 32nd minute by deflecting Palhinha's effort into his own goal, but it was to prove in vain.

Southampton have 12 points from 17 games while Fulham moved into the top seven with 25 points.

Defeat was a little harsh on Southampton who showed plenty of grit but ultimately they were found wanting again.

While for Fulham they are buoyant at the end of a year that saw them promoted from the Championship and settle down impressively in the top flight.

"It has been a special 2022 for us as a football club. To win the Championship title last season in that style and to grow as a team is really special," manager Marco Silva said.

"We are performing at a really high level, but we have to be really strong in the second half of the season."

Before kickoff, fans remembered 1966 World Cup winner and former Fulham great George Cohen who died this week, aged 83.

And the hosts delivered a victory even if they were made to work hard for the points in the rain.

They took the lead when Willian's corner picked out Pereira whose powerful volley was going wide until Ward-Prowse's attempt to block it took the ball into the back of the net.

Ward-Prowse, whose goal tally from free kicks is second only to David Beckham in the Premier League, whipped a sensational effort that beat a diving Bernd Leno.

Southampton could not hang on though and Kenny Tete's flick set up Palhinha to head the winner in the 88th minute.

There was still time for Mitrovic to try and boost his impressive haul of 10 league goals this season but the Serbian was unable to beat Bazunu.