Sunday Fulham Stuff - 14/05/23...

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Results

Saturday
Leeds	2-2	Newcastle
Villa	2-1	Spurs
Chelsea	2-2	Forest
Palace	2-0	Bournemouth
Man Utd	2-0	Wolves
Southampton	0-2	Fulham

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Southampton 0-2 Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic reached a career-high top-flight tally of 12 goals with Fulham's second at Southampton

Southampton's 11-year stay in the Premier League ended in tame fashion as their relegation was confirmed with defeat at home by Fulham.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, making his return from an eight-game ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh, sealed Saints' fate with a stooping header after Carlos Vinicius' opener.

The hosts could have few complaints about the outcome after producing a muted performance despite knowing they had to win to have any chance of pulling off an unlikely survival mission.

They did have a Carlos Alcaraz strike disallowed for a marginal offside just before Vinicius broke the deadlock but the confident Cottagers were comfortably the better side.

Willian's first-half volley was cleared off the line by fellow Brazilian Lyanco, who had earlier been fortunate to escape a video assistant referee's penalty check for handball.

But Vinicius tucked home after Lyanco's clearance ricocheted to him kindly off Harrison Reed and Mitrovic nodded in his 12th league goal of the season from Harry Wilson's cross.

Southampton, lethargic throughout, had no response after falling behind and will be playing Championship football next season for the first time since 2012.

Sorry Saints sink into second tier
Saints supporter and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was among those in attendance on Saturday but the clumps of empty seats before kick-off at St Mary's suggested many fans had already conceded the game was up.

Their fears were proven right and those vacant chairs numbered thousands at the final whistle, with some of the few who stayed behind voicing their displeasure at interim boss Ruben Selles and his players.

Southampton have collected just three points from the past 33 available, slipping into freefall just as a number of their relegation rivals had begun to produce important and, in some cases, unexpected results.

Much of the damage was done long before that run, however - Southampton slipped into the relegation places on 6 November after a 4-1 home loss to Newcastle and have remained there ever since.


Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was among the Southampton fans in attendance for the game against Fulham

They sacked Ralph Hasenhuttl a day after that drubbing but the subsequent ill-fated appointment of Nathan Jones as his successor yielded worse results than the Austrian had overseen.

The former Luton boss lost seven of his eight league games in charge - the only glimmer of light a 2-1 win at Frank Lampard's then equally hapless Everton.

Jones, quickly on thin ice with supporters following home defeats by Brighton and relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, was dismissed after a 2-1 loss to 10-man fellow strugglers Wolves on 11 February.

By that time, Saints had hit rock-bottom, sinking to 20th after the Boxing Day defeat by Brighton and staying rooted to the table virtually ever since.

Two wins in Selles' first three games in charge - both 1-0 victories, at Stamford Bridge against misfiring Chelsea and at home to fellow drop candidates Leicester - provided a glimmer of hope.

But key losses to West Ham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, as well as letting a 3-1 lead after 88 minutes slip to draw 3-3 at then leaders Arsenal, put paid to any hopes of a great escape.
Graphic showing how many days teams spent at the bottom of the Premier League


Southampton have spent more than three times as long at the foot of the Premier League in 2022-23 as any other club

Fulham show Saints the way back
Southampton's previous absence from the Premier League, after relegation in 2005, lasted seven years and included a two-season dip into League One - both things they will hope to avoid this time.

They will almost certainly have to rebound without inspirational skipper James Ward-Prowse, who will have suitors aplenty - although it is a damning indictment on their season and, perhaps, summer recruitment, that it is difficult to pick out too many other obvious saleable assets.

Saints could take inspiration from Fulham, twice relegated from the top flight in the past four years but showing signs they can shed that yo-yo tag under Marco Silva.

This win lifted last season's Championship title-winners to ninth and all but assured the Cottagers a top-half finish, a deserved reward for the entertaining and attacking brand of football they have produced.

While Southampton were enduring a club-record 24th league loss of the season and failing to improve on their all-time low home haul of 10 points, from 54 available so far, Fulham were setting happier milestones.

This was their 15th Premier League win of the campaign - a record high for the club, as was a seventh top-flight away victory, and they also equalled their highest goal tally of 52 from 2003-04 and 2004-05.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65506033

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Post-Southampton Press Conference

Marco Silva was quick to praise the connection between his team and Fulham fans during the 2-0 win over Southampton.

A packed-out away end saw goals from Carlos Vinicius and the returning Aleksandar Mitrović secure a club-record 15th Premier League win of the season.

Marco said: "Really good to see the way we performed and the way we deserved the three points away from home. To get a clean sheet as well, the feeling was great.

"We saw it during all of the match but to see it at the end, the connection between the players and fans as well is a great feeling for me, something that you are working to achieve more and more."

The result relegated rock-bottom Saints to the second tier, although they had made Fulham work hard for their win.

"We expected some reaction from Southampton. We knew that it was probably the last chance for them to keep believing, and we prepared the game for that.

"We did a very good offensive transition for our first goal and of course after that moment, the game became easier for us because we started to control the game. And after the second goal, we completely killed the game in my opinion."

With Mitro back available after serving an eight-game suspension, the boss had a choice to make between his top scorer and in-form Carlos Vinicius.

"I decided to start with the 11 that did a very good game against Leicester, and Carlos deserved to start as well. Of course, when you have Mitro ready to go, it's a temptation to start with him because he's top goalscorer and he's been a crucial player for me and this football club.

"But I knew what Carlos can provide and deliver for us. He's been playing well, he's helped the team and I knew that if I needed, Mitro is going to be there ready to go.

"It was nice to see him score, it was nice to see Carlos score as well. A very good headache for me to decide for the next one."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/may/13/post-southampton-press-conference/

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Southampton 0-2 Fulham

Fulham claimed a club record-breaking 15th Premier League victory on a successful trip to the South Coast.

Following a cagey first half that ended goalless, Carlos Vinicius got the Whites in front early in the second half, before the returning Aleksandar Mitrović headed in a second.

After a successful Bank Holiday Monday last time out, Marco Silva went with an unchanged XI on the South Coast. There was one very notable change to the bench however, as Mitrović made a welcome return to the squad following his eight-game ban.

In front of a 3200-strong Fulham following, the Whites started on the front foot. Willian was causing problems down the left as per usual and combined nicely with Tom Cairney and Antonee Robinson on separate occasions to create some early crossing opportunities, but to no avail.

Southampton managed to carve their way into the contest and got a shot on target after 20 minutes through Paul Onuachu after he pinched back possession high up field, but Bernd Leno was there to calmly collect.

Fulham went straight down the other end and got an effort of their own off next, as Willian's cross was steered towards goal by Vinicius from the six-yard box, but was cancelled out with a big block from a Saints defender.

There were strong shouts for a handball in Fulham's favour after Vinicius' header appeared to blatantly strike Lyanco on the arm, but these appeals were for some reason waved away.

The game's best chance so far came five minutes before the interval. After a breakaway down the right from Kenny Tete and Harry Wilson, the ball found its way to Harrison Reed who crossed to Willian at the back post. Our Brazilian winger showed his class with a touch to set and then a touch to volley, only being prevented the opener by a goal line clearance.

The Saints thought they'd started the second half with a bang after Carlos Alcaraz slotted a finish past Leno, but the flag was raised instantly for offside.

Fulham went straight down the other end once again and this time got themselves in front. A lovely Cairney ball to started the move to find Wilson, who then slotted through Harrison Reed. The ball seemed to be getting away from our midfield man, but a brilliant slide tackle won it back and diverted it into the path of Vinicius, who duly tucked it away from close.

The home side needed to get back in this game, and had an opportunity to through Onuachu, but his header from Kyle Walker-Peters' cross flew well over the bar.

With 25 minutes remaining our Serbian talisman made his comeback to the pitch, replacing goal scorer Vinicius to a rapturous away end chorus, and it took all of seven minutes for him to make his mark. Harry Wilson was involved again, floating a beautiful ball in with his right foot, and Mitro did the rest, stooping low to send a diving header into the back of the net.

Kamaldeen Sulemana got a shot off on the spin with the clock ticking down, but it squirmed narrowly wide of Leno's post in the end. Manor Solomon then drew a save from Alex McCarthy in the final action of the game.

The result marks Fulham's greatest ever amount of wins in a Premier League season with 15, whilst also confirming relegation for the Saints.

Southampton: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Lyanco, Maitland-Niles (Adam Armstrong 82'), Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Walcott (Sulemana 62'), Alcaraz (Elyounoussi 73'), Stuart Armstrong (Djenepo 73'), Onuachu (Mara 62')

Subs: Caleta-Car, Aribo, Adam Armstrong, Bree, Mara, Djenepo, Sulemana, Elyounoussi, Bazunu

Fulham FC: Leno, Tete, Tosin, Diop, Antonee Robinson, Reed, João Palhinha (Lukić 77'), Wilson (Kebano 78'), Cairney (De Cordova-Reid 69'), Willian (Solomon 78'), Carlos Vinícius (Mitrović 65')

Subs: Rodák, Duffy, Kebano, Mitrović, Solomon, Cédric Soares, De Cordova-Reid, Lukić, Harris



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/may/13/southampton-0-2-fulham/

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Fulham win confirms Saints' relegation

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored on his return to action as Fulham won at St Mary's and confirmed Southampton's relegation from the Premier League.

Carlos Vinicius retained his place in the starting line-up despite Mitrovic being available again after an eight-match ban.

The Brazilian justified his selection by scoring three minutes into the second half.

Southampton failed to deal with Harrison Reed's delivery, and Tim Ream's sliding tackle on Lyanco sent the ball to Vinicius, who had a simple tap-in.

And Mitrovic doubled the lead seven minutes after coming on as a substitute, getting in front of Kyle Walter-Peters to head home Harry Wilson's cross.

Vinicius' opener – his third goal in four games – came shortly after Southampton thought they had gone ahead when Carlos Alcaraz fired into the net, but he was offside.

In the first half, Fulham appealed in vain for a penalty after an apparent handball by Lyanco, who then came to the hosts' rescue by heading Willian's volley off the line.
Fulham: Leno, Tete, Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson, Palhinha (Lukic 77), Reed, Wilson (Kebano 78), Cairney (De Cordova-Reid), Willian (Solomon 78), Vinicius (Mitrovic 65).
Subs not used: Rodak, Duffy, Soares, Harris.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/southampton-v-fulham-report-130523

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Southampton 0-2 Fulham: Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrovic both score as Saints are RELEGATED to the Championship after Ruben Selles' side fall apart against the Cottagers

    Southampton were beaten 2-0 by Fulham on Saturday afternoon at St Mary's
    It means Ruben Selles side have now been relegated to the Championship 
    Carlos Vinicius broke the deadlock before Aleksandar Mitrovic doubled the lead

They were dotted among a sea of empty seats, those Southampton supporters who hung around for the final goodbye: a lap of (dis)honour, led by James Ward-Prowse, to mark a defeat and the end of an era.

Most of St Mary's had streamed out at full-time. Many had left long before. Plenty hadn't bothered to turn up at all.

At least the posh seats weren't entirely deserted. Rishi Sunak was still there as Southampton's players trudged down the tunnel en route to the second tier.

The Prime Minister, a Saints supporter born a few miles from here, had come home to see relegation confirmed by this defeat by Fulham. It was a curious choice of R&R after another bruising week.

Eventually, Sunak posed for a few selfies and took his leave. His departure prompted a few boos.


Carlos Vinicius (centre) scored the first goal for Fulham after a goalless and cagey first half

So had the final whistle as Southampton were consigned to the Championship – a division where the finances are precarious enough to make any former chancellor wince.

Let's hope the trains are back running when Sunak books his tickets to Rotherham away. The Prime Minister will sympathise with Ruben Selles – he, too, knows about trying to steady a ship which has had three captains in less than a year.

Still, though, this was a pitiful end. No late siege for survival. No rage against the dying light. Nothing except meek surrender.

'It has been coming,' Ward-Prowse conceded. 'When these things happen you go away individually and as a club and ask if you have done enough? I don't think we have.'

He added: 'Have decisions been right? Have we been good enough on the pitch? Have we done enough as a team to progress? I believe we should be performing at a better level than we have... the standards have slipped away and that is why we are where we are.'

A brutal assessment from a player who has been here since he was eight but surely won't be around much longer.

'If we were at our standards, we would not be talking about this situation right now,' Selles agreed. 'I take all the responsibility for the last three months. I should be able to win more football matches, I should be able to have a team that competes better... I can do (things) differently. I made my mistakes like any other.'

In truth, though, Southampton's fate has been sealed slowly, bad decision by bad decision. Seeds have been sown since the end of last season, when they kept Ralph Hasenhuttl only to sack him in November.
 

The hosts had stood firm in the first half before Vinicius opened the scoring on 48 minutes


Aleksandar Mitrovic (middle) returned from an eight-game ban to score Fulham's second 
 

The Serbian netted his 12th of the campaign - the first time he has managed so many in the top-flight

When they appointed Nathan Jones, a polarising figure with no-Premier League credentials. When they jettisoned him in February and handed the reins to Selles, who had never had a top job in senior football.

St Mary's was already flush with empty seats when, shortly after half-time, Carlos Alcaraz had a goal ruled out for offside and Fulham went straight up the other end to score through Carlos Vinicius.

After Aleksandar Mitrovic – back from his eight-match ban for pushing a referee – headed home Fulham's second, an exodus began.

On his way out, one supporter threw his season ticket towards the dugout. It didn't even reach the hoardings. And that felt rather fitting.

Only three wins from three would have kept alive Saints' hope of staying up. They did just that to survive in 1998-99 but such escapology always appeared beyond them here.

Between them, Hasenhuttl, Jones and Selles have amassed six league wins all season and just two here.

No wonder the stench of resignation drifted around St Mary's from before kick-off.

Only last week, Sunak watched his party lose more than 1,000 seats on councils across the country.

On Saturday, this stadium was full of fresh pockets of red, too – places left empty by fans who had lost all hope. They didn't miss much. The first half was especially dismal.

Willian saw a shot cleared off the line; Lyanco escaped a handball shout inside the penalty area.

It was a brief interlude to the boredom. Thankfully, action did eventually arrive.

Alcaraz thought he had put Saints ahead moments before Harry Wilson slid in Harrison Reed, Lyanco intervened but the ball ran for Vinicius to tap in.

Mitrovic doubled the visitors' lead 18 minutes from time.

Fulham are used to scrapping at the bottom of the table but this goal ensured Mitrovic and his team broke new ground.

Never before has the striker reached 12 Premier League goals in a season.

Meanwhile, Marco Silva's side, who climb to ninth with these three points, have now won 15 Premier League games in 2022/23. Including seven on the road. Both are club records.

Southampton will now have to earn another chance to hit such heights.

The last time they dropped out the top flight, in 2004/05, it took them seven years to return. Via the third tier.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12080235/Southampton-0-2-Fulham-Saints-RELEGATED-Championship-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-scores-return.html

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Southampton's relegation confirmed after Aleksandar Mitrovic-inspired Fulham win

Southampton suffered Premier League relegation after Aleksandar Mitrovic returned from his eight-match ban with a bang to help Fulham secure a 2-0 win at St Mary's.

Second-half finishes from Carlos Vinicius and substitute Mitrovic inflicted a club-record 24th defeat of the season on the division's bottom club to leave them eight points from safety with just two fixtures remaining.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – a Saints fan – was among those in attendance on the south coast as the hosts' 11-season stay in the top flight ended in tame fashion.

He witnessed a team lacking confidence, ideas and urgency produce another feeble performance of a miserable campaign featuring three managers and just two home league wins.

Vinicius broke the deadlock in the 48th minute, before Mitrovic, who was handed the lengthy suspension for grabbing referee Chris Kavanagh in his side's FA Cup loss at Manchester United on March 19, condemned Saints to the Sky Bet Championship by heading home his 13th goal of the season.

Boos and chants of "you're not fit to wear the shirt" from home supporters greeted the full-time whistle.

Southampton began the day in the perilous position of needing to win each of their final three fixtures to stand any chance of survival following Monday's damaging 4-3 loss at fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.

Pockets of empty red seats suggested plenty of Saints fans were already resigned to the club's fate, albeit the reduced crowd was boosted slightly by the presence of Southampton-born politician Sunak.

Unchanged Fulham dominated possession from the first whistle but created little in a forgettable opening period of few chances.

Brazilian forward Vinicius saw a close-range effort blocked for the away side, moments after recalled Saints striker Paul Onuachu fired tamely at Bernd Leno from range following a mistake from Issa Diop.

Fulham then had passionate penalty appeals waved away after Harry Wilson's inswinging cross struck the arm of Southampton defender Lyanco, prompting visiting players to surround referee Thomas Bramall at the next break in play.

Willian came closest to a first-half breakthrough when his 41st-minute volley was headed off the line by Lyanco following fine work from Wilson and Harrison Reed's ball across the box.

A dismal contest desperately requiring a goal burst into life immediately after the restart.

Carlos Alcaraz momentarily thought he had fired Southampton ahead, only for his confident, slotted finish to be flagged offside, before Fulham quickly compounded that disappointment to suck the life out of home supporters.

Vinicius claimed the simple opener, tapping home unmarked from close range after the industrious Reed diverted the ball across goal with a crunching, sliding challenge on Lyanco.

The party mood among the away end was heightened by the long-awaited return of Mitrovic 25 minutes from time, with a host of Serbia flags unfurled on the terraces.

And the Cottagers' top scorer wasted little time in reintroducing himself.

The lively Wilson was once again Southampton's tormentor-in-chief, producing a pinpoint cross from the right for Mitrovic to stoop and nod beyond goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

Victory for Fulham was a club-record 15th of a Premier League campaign and a first away to Southampton since 1935 to lift them to ninth place.

Beleaguered Saints, meanwhile, are left to contemplate a first season in the second tier since 2011-12 and, following games against Brighton and Liverpool, an uncertain summer of transition.



https://www.irishnews.com/sport/footballsoccer/2023/05/13/news/southampton_s_relegation_confirmed_after_aleksandar_mitrovic-inspired_fulham_win-3276138/

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Vinicius and Mitrovic send Southampton down
Second half strikes from Fulham forwards Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrovic ended Southampton's eleven-year stay in the Premier League as Rubén Sellés' side went down with a whimper in the St. Mary's sunshine this afternoon.

The highlights of the Saints stay in the top flight, which saw them reach a League Cup final at Wembley and qualify for the Europa League, seemed a long way away as they failed to put up much of a fight despite sitting eight points away from safety at the start of this fixture. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stayed to the end – despite being roundly booed when his presence was revealed at half time – and there was more discontent amongst the home fans who remained inside a rapidly-emptying ground when the worst was confirmed at the final whistle.

Fulham had by far the better of a first half that was played at a rather pedestrian pace. Carlos Vinicius, who was rewarded for his fine form with another start up front despite Aleksandar Mitrovic being available again after his eight-match ban, saw a vicious volley from eight yards bravely blocked by Lynaco, who then somehow avoided giving away a penalty despite clearly handling a cross from Harry Wilson. The defender then cleared off the line after Willian had wriggled free to shoot goalwards at the back post with Saints somewhat fortunate to level at the interval.

Charly Alcaraz thought he had fired in his fifth Premier League goal two minutes after the restart when he raced onto a fine through ball from James Ward-Prowse, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Within a minute, the home side's defence had been breached. A superb switch of play from Tom Cairney gave Harry Wilson possession on the right wing and, even though Lynaco looked favourite to win possession when the Welsh winger looked to find Harrison Reed in the box, the former Southampton midfielder's robust challenge saw the ball fall kindly for Vinicius, who found the unguarded net with the simplest of finishes from eight yards.

The Saints badly needed a route back into the contest but recalled striker Paul Onuachu spurned their best opportunity heading high over the cross from Kyle Walker-Peters' cross. Mitrovic made his long-awaited return from the substitutes bench, replacing goalscorer Vinicius to a rapturous reception from more than 3,000 travelling supporters, and took just seven minutes to make his mark. The Serbian striker stooped to head home a trademark goal from Wilson's floated cross and celebrated his twelfth top flight goal – making this his most successful season in front of goal in England – with the Fulham fans. With that goal, Fulham reached 50 league goals for only the third time in the Premier League and there are still two more fixtures to play this term.

Southampton did muster a few final flurries as the clock ticked down with substitute Kamaldeen Sulemana turning sharply in the box but shooting wide. Manor Solomon did test Alex McCarthy right as the end as Fulham finished firmly in the ascendancy. This rather routine victory was Fulham's fifteenth of a commendable campaign – setting a new club record in the top flight – and lifted Marco Silva's side up to ninth in the table. The Cottagers are still on target to overhaul their highest ever Premier League points total, achieved by Roy Hodgson's 2008/09 team, with the former Fulham manager set to return to Craven Cottage with Crystal Palace next weekend.

SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Maitland-Niles (A. Armstrong 82), Bednarek, Lyanco; Lavia, Ward-Prowse; Walcott (Sulemana 62), S. Armstrong (Elyounoussi 73), Alcaraz (Djenepo 72); Onuachu (Mara 61). Subs (not used): Bazunu, Bree, Caleta-Car, Aribo.

BOOKED: Lavia, A. Armstrong.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Diop; Palhinha (Lukic 77), Reed; Wilson (Kebano 78), Willian (Solomon 78), Cairney (Decordova-Reid 69); Vinicius (Mitrovic 65). Subs (not used): Rodak, Cedric Soares, Duffy, Harris.

GOALS: Vinicius (48), Mitrovic (72).

REFEREE: Thomas Brammall (South Yorkshire).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/05/vinicius-and-mitrovic-send-southampton-down/

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Mitrovic becomes seventh-highest Fulham scorer
Aleksandar Mitrovic's header at Southampton – that clinched Fulham's victory at St. Mary's this afternoon – also lifted the Serbian striker to seventh in the club's all-time goalscoring charts.

Mitrovic has now scored 109 goals in 203 games for the Whites and moves one ahead of Steve Earle. The 28 year-old is now fifteen goals behind Arthur Stevens, the Wandsworth-born outside right, who represented Fulham between 1941 and 1959 as well as providing machine gun support to the D-Day landings during the Second World War.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/05/mitrovic-becomes-seventh-highest-fulham-scorer/

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Southampton relegated after defeat to Fulham

Saints' 11-year stay in top flight is over as they become the first club this season to go down

Southampton's 11-year stay in the Premier League came to an end on Saturday as a 2-0 defeat to Fulham made them the first team to be relegated in the 2022/23 season.

Southampton had to win the match to keep their hopes of staying up alive, but second-half goals from Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrovic condemned the home team to a season in the Championship.

The result at St Mary's Stadium leaves Saints bottom of the table, as they had been for 138 days this season, on 24 points, eight from safety with only two matches remaining.

The club started the season with Ralph Hasenhuttl as manager, then changed him for Nathan Jones.

But Jones lasted little more than eight matches, winning only one, before Ruben Selles, Hasenhuttl's assistant, took over but could not generate the required success.

Saints' managerial records 2022/23

Manager	P	W	D	L
Hasenhuttl	14	3	3	8
Jones	8	1	0	7
Selles	14	2	3	8

"It's a difficult moment for the club," a disappointed Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse told the club's official website. "It's something, in all honesty, we've been fearing for a little while.

"For the last couple of years we've not been performing at the level I believe we should be and I think this season's caught up with us.

"It's tough, it's not a nice moment, for any player with any experience but especially with the young squad we've got. A difficult moment now but hopefully one everybody will learn from and it's a time for everybody to go away now, have a think about what they've done over the season.

"Whether we as a club have done that well enough over the course of the season, I don't think we have and that's why we are where we are right now.

"I feel for [the fans] because they don't deserve to see what we've produced this season and that's the sad thing.

"There's a way to lose games and there's a way to fail in sport. The way we've done it this year, that's the disappointing thing. We didn't really go down with a fight and given everything we can."

A statement from the Southampton owners Sport Republic said: "We must now reflect on the lessons to be learned from this season and start preparing for the challenges ahead of us in the Championship. Our goal is to return to the Premier League as soon as possible and ensure that we stay there.

"At the same time, we will continue to focus on the long-term development of the club, both on and off the pitch, to ensure its sustainability at the highest level.

"We understand that significant improvement is required, and at the end of the season we will announce our immediate next steps and provide details of how the club will operate moving forward."



https://www.premierleague.com/news/3343277

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Silva delighted by Fulham's 'desire'
Marco Silva praised Fulham's 'ambition' and 'desire' after his side recorded a club record fifteenth top flight win at Southampton this afternoon.

Second half goals from Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrovic secured a routine victory at St. Mary's as the Saints were relegated from the top flight. The Fulham boss felt Fulham's application was excellent and he lauded a professional display in his post-match interview with BBC Sport:

    "We showed our ambition and desire to keep going. I have to first of all congratulate the players, of course, on another three points with a clean sheet. It is a great feeling for us as well and a fantastic away support from our fans. They sold out that end and their support from the first to the last minute was fantastic and for us to be able to give this feeling for them to come here and win the football match with a clean sheet is really important.

    It was a decent performance I have to say. It was not consistent during the 95 minutes, but we were the best team on the pitch. We started really well, managing the game from the first minute, pushing them back and controlling the situation. There were a couple of moments on the counter attack they created something but nothing really special and I think it was one of the quietest games for Bernd [Leno] this season. We didn't create many chances because they sat back with a lot of players behind the ball and it is difficult to find the spaces.

    We gave some feedback at half time for us to improve a little bit the speed when we arrive in certain areas of the pitch. I think we did it. The first goal is a good example of what we did and we deserved the three points. It was a very good feeling to see Carlos scoring again and improving and more confident. It is a great feeling to have Mitro back. As I said before the match, we miss him for everything he can add to our team. He is a really importance piece in our squad: he's been important for me ever since I arrived at this football club. I think he has scored 55 goals in 69 games for me – the number is impressive. It is nice to him come back and score a goal.

    This is Mitrovic. Everyone knows we miss it a lot. I'm sure with him we are stronger. It is clear that it was completely exaggerated the number of games that he was out, compared with everything what's happened this season – it is my opinion, of course. But he has worked really hard during this period and everyone in the football club has supported him as well. When you can provide for him inside the box, he is a top goalscorer. He did in the game what he normally does. He has been a very good professional – and now I want him to forget completely what's happened and continue to score goals.

    It has been a brilliant season, I have to say. The players have been brilliant. Everyone in the beginning of the season said we were the first favourites to go down. We are here, in my opinion, where this club belongs. It has been hard work from all of us. The season didn't finish yet – we want more. We have two games to play and we want to fight for the six points that are ahead of us. The season has been really, really good, brilliant but we have to keep going."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/05/silva-delighted-by-fulhams-desire/

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Player ratings: Southampton 0-2 Fulham

George Rossiter rates the Fulham performances after victory away to Southampton

Fulham's 2-0 victory over Southampton sent the Saints down into the Championship as they became the first team to be relegated from the Premier League this season. Goals from Vinicius and then Mitro on his return from suspension gave Silva's side a comfortable victory against a poor Southampton side. Next up is our last home game this season against Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace side.

Bernd Leno
Leno will have had to do a lot more to earn clean sheets in the past, but a clean sheet is a clean sheet and it's another one on the German's tally. Bar a couple of long shots in both halves, there really were no issues to contend with for Bernd. He did well from crosses, which was impressive considering Southampton had a 6ft7' giant up front in Paul Onuachu. 7/10.

Kenny Tete
Incredible energy up and down the right flank all game long. Tete constantly pinned back Southampton's left sided players and completely nullified any threat that Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Stuart Armstrong, or later on Kamaldeen Sulemana had to offer. Delivery often looked dangerous and overall a really good performance. 8/10.

Tosin
Tosin's distribution throughout the whole game was spot on, whether going long and diagonal or playing short into midfield. Defensively I can't find any faults in his performance, even if Southampton were poor in what they offered. This good run of form, including multiple defensive displays and improved ability on the ball, has made Tosin our Mr Dependable at the back at the perfect time. 7.5/10.

Issa Diop
There have been two notable trends since Diop has filled in for Ream in the left sided centre back role of late. One is that he looks shaky on the ball and losing the ball to Onuachu early on was another sign of that. However he isn't struggling defensively, and was solid again today. Diop's importance to the squad is not up for debate, but his suitability to this position potentially is. 7/10.

Antonee Robinson
Even if Theo Walcott isn't quite as quick as when he was at the peak of his powers 10-15 years ago, it was still impressive seeing the speed of Jedi in defending against him on a couple of occasions in the first half. Robinson was generally solid in all aspects of the game, not giving Southampton much joy when they tried to attack, and getting into a couple of decent crossing positions himself. 7/10.

Joao Palhinha
A very solid performance. Everything that was good about his Leicester performance were on show here again. Namely his ability to seamlessly break up the play at the base of midfield and turn a Leicester attack into a Fulham attack in the shortest of transitions. It may have also gone under the radar lately how neat his passing has been, especially when that was something he was often critiqued for pre-Christmas. 7/10.

Harrison Reed
Another brilliant performance, this time against his former club. It says a lot about Harrison that against quality opponents in recent games such as Lavia, Tielemans etc, he's comfortably coming out on top time and time again in his midfield battles. His assist for Fulham's first goal was proof of both his incredible desire that he shows for 90 minutes every week, as well as the way his game has developed to see him get into so many more brilliant attacking positions. 8.5/10. – Man of the match.

Tom Cairney
Stamped his authority on the match very early on, getting on the ball non-stop in the opening stages of the game. It was Cairney's sumptuous defence-splitting ball from left to right that started the attack that eventually led to Fulham's first goal, just more proof of his ability to impact games for the club at this level. 7.5/10.

Harry Wilson
Wilson really is in fine form at the moment. The winger ran rings around Ainsley Maitland-Niles on a number of occasions, including when he dribbled past him with ease to tee up Mitrovic to seal the game for Fulham with a beautifully delicate cross. Just another really good performance from Harry who is ending the season in brilliant stead after a really touch season in general. 8/10.

Willian
While Willian did look dangerous on the ball in the way he manipulated the Southampton defence with his dribbling, his final pass often wasn't quite there. His set pieces often missed the mark in the first half and quite often his deliveries in open play weren't perfect either. He had a good effort cleared off the line by Lyanco just before half time, but overall it was one of the Brazilian's quieter performances. 6.5/10.

Carlos Vinicius
Vinicius had a rather quiet game for the most part but he validated Silva's decision to keep him in the side in the end. What he did do was show his confidence of late in the way he used the ball when he got it, with some really neat touches and link-up play. He found himself in the right place at the right time for our opening goal, his third in four games. 7/10.

Substitutes
Aleksandar Mitrovic (65' for Carlos Vinicius)
Welcome back, my Serbian King. It took just 6 and a half minutes for Mitro to send a brilliantly controlled header past Alex McCarthy and completely take the game out of Southampton's grasp. Mitro looked dangerous from the moment he stepped on the pitch and showed zero signs of rustiness. 7.5/10.

Bobby De-Cordova Reid (69' for Tom Cairney)
Bobby was slightly slack in possession on a couple of occasions but nothing too drastic. Helped to see the win through, that's the main thing. 6/10.

Neeskens Kebano (77' for Harry Wislon)
Sad that this specific substitution denied us having Harry Wislon, Mitrovic and Neeskens all on the pitch at once, that's all I have to say. 6/10.

Sasa Lukic (77' for Joao Palhinha)
Probably needs to show off his quality more in these small cameos if he's to prove what he can offer Fulham going for. Obviously a good player in there. 6/10.

Manor Solomon (77' for Willian)
Actually looked really dangerous and intent on beating every Southampton player on the pitch, just a shame they kept kicking the living daylights out of him. 6.5/10.

P.S. I hope you enjoyed watching London's Original and greatest football club, Mr Sunak...



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-05-13-player-ratings-southampton-0-2-fulham/

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Wilson pleased with victory
Harry Wilson was delighted to play a key part in Fulham's win at Southampton yesterday afternoon as the Welsh winger had a role in both the goals at St. Mary's.

Marco Silva's side reached a club record fifteenth Premier League win and relegated their hosts with a routine away victory that Wilson felt they thoroughly deserved. He told FFCTV after the final whistle:

    "I thought we started the game pretty well. The way we kept the ball, we made them move but without really creating any chances. As the first half went on, we created a couple of moments where we maybe could have got the opener. I thought they were in a decent shape and they were difficult to break through. In the second half, we were much better, there was a bit more space for us and we took advantage of that and scored two good goals.

    Reedy actually done well as I overhit the pass for the first one, but Reedy slid in and managed to square it to Vini. I think that's a striker's dream to run onto pretty much an open goal. He deserved his goal again because I thought he was really good – the way he held the ball up and allowed us to play. He's been brilliant. For Mitro, in his first game back, to manage to get a goal capped off a really good day.

    I was saying to him before that we haven't played together this season much at all. In the first part of the season, I was injured and now I'm back in the team, he's been suspended. It was nice to put one on his head for the first time in a while."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/05/wilson-pleased-with-victory/