Southampton took the lead in the 23rd minute when Oriol Romeu beat Fulham keeper Sergio Rico with a strike through the crowd.
Fulham had plenty of possession, but their flaws at both ends of the pitch were exposed as Southampton increased their lead before halftime.
Fulham enjoyed lots of possession but their weaknesses at both ends of the pitch were all too apparent as Southampton doubled their advantage before the break.Aleksandar Mitrovic had just scuffed a good chance wide for Fulham when Southampton attacked down the left and Nathan Redmond’s low cross was parried by Rico to James Ward-Prowse who swept in the rebound.Despite some neat build-up play Fulham lacked any cutting edge as Southampton comfortably held out for the victory that moved them two points above Cardiff City into 17th place.
Second-from-bottom Fulham are now 10 points behind Southampton and looking odds-on for an instant return to the Championship.
