Second-tier Southampton stun Fulham to reach FA Cup quarterfinals

London — Fifty years after lifting the FA Cup as a second-division side, Southampton moved a dramatic step closer to repeating history, edging Premier League Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage on Sunday to book a place in the competition’s last eight.

The match appeared destined for extra time until the 90th minute, when substitute Finn Azaz was clipped by Joachim Andersen inside the area and referee Peter Bankes pointed to the spot. Ross Stewart, introduced only minutes earlier, sent Bernd Leno the wrong way, igniting delirious celebrations among the travelling faithful and sealing a result that will reverberate well beyond west London.

Tonda Eckert’s visitors arrived on a nine-match unbeaten run and showed no deference to top-flight opposition, defending resolutely and breaking with menace. Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz twice denied Fulham in quick succession midway through the second half, while Leo Scienza, Cyle Larin and Tom Fellows all spurned presentable chances of their own as the Championship outfit controlled long stretches on the counter.

Marco Silva, whose side sit comfortably in mid-table, made widespread changes to his starting XI yet still fielded a side laden with international experience. The reshuffle failed to spark cohesion, however, and the hosts rarely looked like breaching the organised Saints back line. Silva cut an increasingly agitated figure on the touchline as the clock ticked down, and Andersen’s rash challenge ultimately proved costly.

The victory extends Southampton’s unbeaten streak to ten games across all competitions and keeps alive dreams of a Wembley return. It is the club’s first quarterfinal appearance since 2022, and with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool still in the draw, Eckert’s men will relish the role of underdogs when the next round is paired.

For Fulham, elimination represents a squandered opportunity to mount a serious cup run with relegation fears all but extinguished. Questions will now be asked of Silva’s rotation policy and whether prioritising squad depth over momentum cost the Cottagers a genuine shot at silverware.

Southampton return to league action buoyed by belief, their dual pursuit of promotion and cup glory suddenly looking anything but improbable.