The winning goal arrived late but the result was deserved. Southampton were resilient in defence, combative in midfield, dangerous on the counterattack and are into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after punishing another dozy home performance from Fulham with a stoppage-time penalty from Ross Stewart.
As wild as the celebrations were in the away end, it did not feel like much of a shock. Having recovered from last season’s limp relegation from the Premier League, Southampton were good value for the win.
There were times when they outplayed Fulham, who failed to summon the urgency required to secure a third quarter-final in four seasons, and it was clear to see why there is such positivity around Tonda Eckert, the fresh-faced German whose appointment as Will Still’s permanent replacement in December has revived Southampton and lifted them to within touching distance of a playoff spot.
“It’s very important, if you get that taste of how to win games, that you stay on the gas,” the 32-year‑old Eckert said after his side extended their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions. “We didn’t give Fulham too much today. It’s a deserved win. It was a good performance.”
For Fulham, the focus fell on the wisdom of Marco Silva’s starting XI. Was his decision to make nine changes after the midweek defeat to West Ham evidence of him underestimating Southampton? Maybe, but there was plenty of quality in the Fulham lineup. Executing the plan was the problem. Oscar Bobb, signed from Manchester City in January, was poor. Emile Smith Rowe and Samuel Chukwueze were quiet and Rodrigo Muniz, who started up front, was unable to take a couple of decent opportunities in the second half.
