Southampton secured a dramatic 1-0 FA Cup victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Ross Stewart’s stoppage-time penalty proved the decisive moment.
The FA Cup frequently delivers high drama and unexpected results. Both Fulham and Southampton approached this fifth-round tie aiming for a deep run in the prestigious competition. Fulham, playing on home turf, sought to assert their Premier League quality against their Championship visitors.
The first half saw Fulham dominate possession. They controlled the midfield and moved the ball with intent. Despite enjoying 68% of the ball, Fulham struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organised Southampton defence.
Shots came from Rodrigo Muniz and Harrison Reed, but none genuinely troubled Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. The Saints remained compact, soaking up pressure and looking for opportunities to counter-attack.
The score remained 0-0 at the interval. Fulham needed to find more penetration and creativity in the final third. Southampton, meanwhile, aimed to maintain their defensive solidity and perhaps become more adventurous.
The second half continued with Fulham pushing forward. The hosts introduced Alex Iwobi for Tom Cairney in the 65th minute to spark their attack. However, Southampton began making strategic substitutions of their own.
Ross Stewart, who would become the match-winner, entered the game in the 71st minute, replacing C. Larin. Alongside him, C. Jander made way for C. Bragg. As the game wore on, the tension rose and fouls became more frequent, leading to several yellow cards.
The decisive moment arrived deep into added time. In the 90+1 minute, Southampton was awarded a crucial penalty. Ross Stewart stepped up confidently and coolly slotted the ball home from the spot. This late goal stunned the home crowd and gave the visitors a dramatic lead.
The final minutes saw a flurry of cards, including bookings for Fulham's S. Chukwueze and Southampton's F. Azaz and K. Matsuki, as Fulham desperately searched for an equalizer. However, the Saints held firm.
Fulham registered a remarkable 24 total shots, with 6 on target, compared to Southampton’s 5 total shots and 3 on target. Fulham also commanded 68% possession and earned 15 corner kicks. Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz was the standout performer, making 6 crucial saves to keep his team in the contest.
This FA Cup upset sends Southampton into the next round of the competition. Fulham will be left to ponder a dominant performance that lacked the clinical edge. The Saints’ resilience and late penalty heroics will be celebrated by their fans.
