Fulham 10 points from safety after defeat at Southampton

Southampton 2 Fulham 0

Fulham’s miserable season continued with a disastrous defeat against fellow strugglers Southampton.

Both goals came in the first half at St Mary’s, where former Chelsea man Oriol Romeu opened the scoring before James Ward-Prowse doubled the Saints’ lead.

Ryan Babel went close for Fulham in the second half when his deflected shot hit the bar, but the Whites never looked likely launching a comeback.

They went behind when keeper Sergio Rico’s unconvincing punch from a corner dropped to Romeu, who fired home.

And Fulham’s leaky defence was all too easily carved open for the second goal.

Rico dived to his left to keep out a strike from Nathan Redmond, but Ward-Prowse was on hand to tuck away the loose ball.

Southampton’s win lifted them out of the bottom three and 10 points clear of Fulham, who look destined for a return to the Championship.