Southampton 2 Fulham 2: Saints grab late equaliser in thrilling encounter

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins stressed the need for positivity, from fans and players alike, in his programme notes yesterday.

In that spirit he commended his team’s first-half display, was pleased at further proof of their ability to score goals in the top flight, and praised their character in rallying to salvage a last-minute draw.

However, positivity must be tempered with realism and he admitted games like this need to be won if Southampton are to back up their successive promotions by consolidating in the Premier League. And he knows that while Saints may be scoring at this level they are also conceding: 20 times in seven games to date.

“We have conceded too many goals,” said Adkins. “We have to defend as a team. We pressed well in the first-half but we dropped off in the second, the game became too open and that allowed Fulham to play.”

As a consequence Jose Fonte’s fourth-minute goal was overhauled in the last quarter by two from Fulham, a Jos Hooiveld own goal and Kieren Richardson’s first for the club. A third home defeat in four league games loomed, then Fonte rose again to equalise in the last minute.

Martin Jol was unhappy that Fulham had not been given a free-kick in the build-up to that goal but limited his criticism of referee Mark Clattenburg to: “It was 100 per cent a free-kick, it was as if he didn’t see it.” His restraint was, he said, “because you cannot say anything in England, you get fined. I get good wages but I don’t want to pay a fine.”

Jol’s players had begun as if still digesting a Sunday roast enabling Saints to force a succession of corners, none of them defended convincingly. Eventually Adam Lallana dipped one over Hugo Rodallega at the near post and Fonte looped a header into the top corner of the back post.

Saints continued to look the better side but spurned several chances to increase their lead before the break. Rickie Lambert rolled a carefully side-footed shot wide after a slick passing move. Sasha Riether cleared off the line from Jason Puncheon after another Lallana corner had unsettled Fulham. And Puncheon picked out Lambert at the far post only for Saint’s leading scorer to blast his shot at Mark Schwarzer.