Fulham out after losing to Saints

Fulham 0 Southampton 1

Fulham fell at the first hurdle in the FA Cup as they were sunk by James Ward-Prowse’s goal at Craven Cottage.

The England midfielder struck just before the half-hour and, despite plenty of slick approach play, the Whites were unable to find a response.

Southampton’s Shane Long found the net early on but was incorrectly adjudged offside, while the Whites’ only sniff of goal came when Lucas Piazon’s drive was blocked.[phone]


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The deadlock was broken in the 29th minute when Fulham failed to defend Ryan Bertrand’s long ball and Sofiane Boufal set up Ward-Prowse, who swept low into the corner.

Whites goalkeeper David Button kept his side in contention with point-blank saves to deny the dynamic Boufal and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg either side of the break.

The visitors should have wrapped up the tie, with Jack Stephens somehow managing to head against the crossbar from a few yards out and substitute Manolo Gabbiadini also off target.

Despite a trio of attacking changes, Fulham rarely looked like scoring – with Denis Odoi hooking their best chance over the bar after Saints keeper Alex McCarthy had spilled a cross.

Fulham: Button; Fredericks, Kalas (Ojo 66), Ream, Odoi; McDonald (Kebano 56); Piazon, Norwood, Johansen, Sessegnon; Fonte (Kamara 75).

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