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.
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).
This post was last modified on 06/01/2018