Rickie Lambert scored and laid on two assists as Southampton won their first league game over Fulham at Craven Cottage since 1947. Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez were the other scorers, as the Saints found the net three times in the second half to round off a comprehensive victory. The first chance of the match fell to Fulham on eight minutes, Lewis Holtby whipping in a dangerous corner but Dan Burn was only able to head it over the bar. The game stagnated during the opening exchanges, with Southampton's possession based approach being cancelled out by Fulham's organised defence. Despite being unable to control the match the hosts almost took the lead after 25 minutes, Artur Boruc pulling off a stunning save to deny Brede Hangeland's header. Boruc was keeping Southampton in the match, twice denying Darren Bent from giving the Cottagers the lead. The first time the Polish shot-stopper thwarted Bent after Holtby and Scott Parker had combined to give the striker a sight of goal in the box. Moments later Boruc rebuffed the former Aston Villa striker again, this time saving from Bent after he had been put through one-on-one by Steve Sidwell. Rodriguez twice went close for the Saints as the first half petered out, but it remained all square at the interval. Southampton started the second half brightly, Morgan Schneiderlin going close after he chested down the ball before firing an overhead kick off target. The visitors were beginning to turn their wealth of possession into shots on goal, Lallana and Rodriguez both testing Maarten Stekelenburg as the match moved into the final half hour. Southampton finally got the break through in the 64th minute, Lambert sliding in Lallana who drilled the ball home from inside the penalty box. The visitors doubled their lead just five minutes later, Lambert transforming from provider to scorer as he slotted home substitute Nathaniel Clyne's cross from 12 yards out. With 15 minutes left the Saints well and truly put the game to bed courtesy of Rodriguez, who cut in from the left flank before beautifully curling the ball into the top corner. The Craven Cottage fans headed for the exits as Southampton controlled the final ten minutes of the match to seal a deserved victory. The defeat means Fulham now sit rock bottom of the Premier League, three points from safety and with the worst goal difference in the division.
Simon is an NCTJ qualified sports journalist. He has conducted interviews with Tony Adams and Peter Shilton, while also having work published in The Daily Telegraph and The Sun. Follow him on Twitter via @sr_collings.
