Fulham 0-1 Southampton Player Ratings: Ross Stewart's Penalty Wins It For Southampton To Stage Another FA Cup Upset

A classic FA Cup tie unfolded at Craven Cottage, but not in the way the home fans would have wanted. Fulham completely dominated proceedings, only to fall to a smash-and-grab 1-0 defeat against a resilient Southampton.

This was a story of wasted opportunities and goalkeeping heroics. The Cottagers will be scratching their heads, wondering how they didn't score.

Fulham laid siege to the Southampton goal for most of the match. They peppered the goal with shots and forced corner after corner, but the final ball and the finishing touch were just not there. It was one of those frustrating days for the home side.

Southampton, on the other hand, played their part perfectly. They defended with their lives, blocked everything thrown at them, and relied on their goalkeeper, who was simply outstanding in the game.

The decisive moment, which seemed to go unnoticed by many, was a penalty won by Southampton in the 91st minute and was expertly dispatched by Ross Stewart to give them the unlikely lead and eventual victory.

A truly baffling and frustrating result for Fulham as Southampton are through to the quarterfinals.

Here are the Fulham vs Southampton Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Fulham had 24 shots in this match compared to Southampton's 5, which shows how dominant the hosts were.
• Rodrigo Muniz won the most aerial duels in this match (9).
• Leo Scienza completed the most dribbles in this game (3).

Fulham Player Ratings vs Southampton

Check out the Fulham Player Ratings from the Fulham vs Southampton Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Benjamin Lecomte - 6.5: Had very little to do for most of the game as his team dominated possession. He made a couple of decent saves when called upon, particularly one against Tom Fellows in the second half. However, he was ultimately beaten from the spot for the game's only goal, leaving him little chance.

Defenders

Joachim Andersen - 7.5: A very difficult performance to rate. Andersen was a colossus for most of the match, with his 86 accurate passes and commanding aerial presence. He was even a threat in the opposition box. What stood out to us, however, was the stat that says he conceded a penalty. This single moment of clumsiness cost his team the game, and it mars what was otherwise an imperious display.

Jorge Cuenca - 6.0: A mixed bag from Cuenca. He was solid in possession, finding his teammates consistently, but he seemed a bit rash in the challenge. He picked up a yellow card for a poor tackle and was dribbled past on one occasion. Did his job for the most part but didn't exude confidence.

Timothy Castagne - 7.0: A typically industrious performance from the full-back. He got forward well, delivering seven crosses and contributing to Fulham's attacking pressure. Defensively, he was sound, winning half his duels and making some key interceptions. A reliable outlet down the right.

Ryan Sessegnon - 6.5: Looked dangerous and got into some great positions, but his final product was lacking. He had four shots but couldn't find the net, including a big chance missed. From our perspective, he seemed to snatch at his opportunities, perhaps a sign of frustration as the game wore on.

Midfielders

Harrison Reed - 8.0: A fantastic performance in the heart of midfield. Reed was everywhere, pulling the strings with an incredible 95% pass accuracy and creating five chances for his teammates. He was the engine of the team, constantly looking to create and drive Fulham forward. One of the few players who can hold his head high.

Tom Cairney - 7.0: The captain was calm and composed on the ball, dictating the tempo for the 65 minutes he was on the pitch. He completed 94% of his passes and was a constant source of creativity. His substitution was a bit of a surprise, as Fulham seemed to lose a bit of control after his departure.

Oscar Bobb - 6.5: A lively but ultimately ineffective display. Bobb got into some good areas and had three shots, but he also lost possession 14 times. He showed flashes of his talent but struggled to make a decisive impact on the game. A learning experience for the young midfielder.

Samuel Chukwueze - 6.0: We expected more from Chukwueze. He created a couple of chances but was largely on the periphery of the game. He struggled to get the better of his full-back and was dispossessed too easily at times. A disappointing outing.

Emile Smith Rowe - 7.0: Looked sharp and created two good chances during his time on the pitch, including a big chance. His link-up play was neat and tidy, and he always looked to play a forward pass. A positive contribution before being substituted late on.

Forwards

Rodrigo Muniz - 5.5: A frustrating day at the office for the big striker. He was an absolute menace in the air, winning 8 aerial duels. However, his finishing was woeful. He had six shots but failed to hit the target with any of them. His inability to convert chances was a major reason for Fulham's defeat.

Substitutes

Alex Iwobi - 6.0: Came on for Cairney but couldn't provide the spark needed to unlock the Southampton defence.

Josh King - N/A: Introduced late in the game with little time to make an impact.

Manager

M. Saraiva Da Silva - 6.0: Set his team up to dominate, and they did. However, his side's profligacy in front of goal and a defensive lapse cost them dearly. He might question his decision to take Cairney off when he did. A frustrating day where his game plan was almost perfect, but the result was anything but.

Southampton Player Ratings vs Fulham

Check out the Southampton Player Ratings from the Fulham vs Southampton Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Daniel Peretz - 9.0: An absolutely heroic performance and the clear man of the match. Peretz was the sole reason Southampton are in the next round. He made six crucial saves, four of them from inside the box, and commanded his area with authority. His handling was secure, and his presence gave his defence immense confidence. A brick wall.

Defenders

Ryan Manning - 7.0: It was a tough, busy day for the defender, but he stood up to the task. He was under constant pressure but made three tackles and three clearances. While his passing was a bit wayward, his defensive contribution was vital to securing the clean sheet.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 8.0: The captain led by example with a warrior's performance. He put his body on the line, making a remarkable four blocked shots. He was a rock at the back, organising his defence and repelling wave after wave of Fulham attacks. A true captain's display.

James Bree - 8.0: An immense defensive shift from Bree. What stood out to us were his 11 clearances, a number that tells the story of the game. He was constantly in the right place at the right time to hoof the ball to safety. He was a key part of the defensive wall that Fulham just couldn't break down.

Nathan Wood - 7.0: A solid partner to Harwood-Bellis. Wood made six clearances and two interceptions, showing good reading of the game. He was disciplined and focused, contributing to a massive team effort at the back. Held his own against a barrage of attacks.

Midfielders

Flynn Downes - 6.5: A combative performance in midfield. Downes worked tirelessly to break up play, even earning a yellow card for his troubles. He didn't see much of the ball but his role was to disrupt, and he did it effectively. A disciplined, if unspectacular, outing.

Finn Azaz - 7.5: Had the most decisive impact on the game. While he didn't dominate, his clever play won his side the penalty that ultimately decided the tie. It was a moment of quality in a game where his side had to do a lot of defending. He also created a big chance that was missed. A game-winner.

Leo Scienza - 6.5: Provided a good outlet on the counter-attack, completing three dribbles. He missed a big chance which could have been costly, but his energy and running were important for relieving pressure. A decent showing before being subbed.

Tom Fellows - 6.0: Worked hard defensively but struggled to get involved in the attack. He was caught offside and missed a big chance of his own. A quiet game for the midfielder, who was eventually substituted.

Caspar Jander - 5.0: A really tough day for Jander. From our perspective, he looked off the pace and was dispossessed four times in his 71 minutes. He struggled to get a foothold in a game dominated by the opposition. It was no surprise to see him substituted.

Forwards

Cyle Larin - 6.0: A thankless task for the lone striker. Larin was isolated for long periods and had to feed off scraps. He worked hard and won a few duels, but he couldn't get into the game. He was caught offside twice, which summed up his frustrating evening.

Substitutes

Cameron Bragg - 6.0: Came on and helped see out the game with some fresh legs in midfield.

Ross Stewart - 6.0: Provided a physical presence up front in the final stages.

Samuel Edozie - N/A: Not on long enough to make a significant impact.

Kuryu Matsuki - N/A: A late change to waste time and secure the win.

Manager

Tonda Eckert - 8.0: His game plan was perhaps ugly, but it was perfectly executed. He set his team up to be defensively solid and absorb pressure, and they did it to perfection. His side rode their luck but showed immense character and discipline. A tactical masterclass in how to win away from home against a superior team.

Man of the Match

Daniel Peretz was the man of the match in this FA Cup game.

Worst Performer

Caspar Jander was the worst of the lot from the Fulham vs Southampton match.