Fulham 2-1 Southampton: Joao Palhinha’s 88th minute header sinks Southampton

Southampton’s miserable 2022 ended with a gut-punching 2-1 defeat at Fulham to leave them rock-bottom of the Premier League table at the turn of the year.

After James Ward-Prowse had scored at both ends either side of half-time, Joao Palhinha delivered the final blow with an 88th minute header to give Fulham all three points. 

Aleksandr Mitrovic could have made it 3-1 but saw an injury-time penalty saved by Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

Aleksandr Mitrovic could have made it 3-1 but saw an injury-time penalty saved by Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu

When you’re at the bottom of the table, luck is rarely on your side. But you also have to make your own luck. Southampton had chances to win this game and should have been ahead at half-time, rather than behind. 

Fulham were not at their best and this game was there for the taking after Ward-Prowse had equalised. Nathan Jones knew it too. It is now three defeats from his first three league games as Saints manager – following in the footsteps of Dave Jones, Stuart Gray, Nigel Adkins and Mark Hughes who also suffered that fate.

The positive is that the only other season Southampton were bottom of the top-flight table at the turn of the year was in 1991-1992 – when they went on to finish 16th and avoid relegation. It will take some effort to match that achievement in 2023.

For Fulham, it has been a year to remember for all the right reasons. A Championship title and an impressive start to a Premier League season that few people expected. Marco Silva’s side continue to prove people wrong, their 84 goals in 40 league games in 2022 is the highest number they have netted in a calendar year since managing 85 in 2000.

Fulham’s impressive year continued with the players going wild after Palinha scored late on 

James Ward-Prowse equalised for the Saints after scoring an own goal but his side lost again 

There was a poignant moment before kick-off as Fulham paid tribute to their former player and 1966 World Cup winner George Cohen, who passed away on December 23, before kick-off. Cohen spent his entire professional career with the Cottagers, making 459 appearances, and this was a battling performance to make him proud.

It was the home side asking the questions in the early stages with Willian almost opening the scoring with a fierce first-time volley that brushed the side-netting.

But Southampton had a better chance to take the lead as Che Adams beat the offside trap to find himself 1v1 with Bernd Leno. 

The angle was narrow, but Adams’ hesitation and uncertainty was characteristic of the lack of confidence throughout this Southampton side and his effort was easily pushed away by Leno.

The Saints were on top as Samuel Edozie played a neat one-two with Adams before firing a low shot down the throat of Leno. Mohamed Elyounoussi then sent an effort just over the bar.

When you’re at the bottom of the table, you need to take your chances and Southampton were made to pay when a slice of fortune handed Fulham the opener in the 32nd minute.

Marco Silva had picked out James Ward-Prowse as Southampton’s danger man before kick-off but it was in his own penalty box where the Southampton captain inadvertently found the net.

Fulham players celebrate with Pereira after his deflected shot off Ward-Prowse gave Fulham the lead in the first-half

Ward-Prowse thought he had brought Saints back into the game but they could not hold on

Willian’s corner picked out an un-marked Pereira on the edge of the box. His shot looked to be heading wide but the outstretched leg of Ward-Prowse diverted the ball past Bazunu in the Southampton goal.

Ward-Prowse, though, was still the danger man – as Silva had feared. Twelve minutes after the break Bobby De Cordova-Reid gave away a cheap free-kick on the edge of the box. It was prime Ward-Prowse territory and the midfielder did what he does best and sent a sensational free-kick over the Fulham wall and into the top right corner of the net.

Jones perhaps felt the game was there for the taking but his side failed to build on their equaliser and instead retreated, inviting pressure which eventually told when the hosts grabbed a late winner. Pereira’s corner was flicked on by Kenny Tete and Palhina was there at the back-post to head home.

Salt should have been rubbed into the wounds when Fulham were awarded an injury time penalty after Bazunu clattered into Dan James but Mitrovic saw a poor effort saved. That miss, though, will not dampen what has been a remarkable year for the striker and his team.