Staff Reporter.
Nathan Tella scored his first senior goal as Southampton defeated relegated Fulham to register back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since December.
Che Adams punished poor set-piece defending to sweep Saints ahead with an instinctive half-volley when the Cottagers allowed James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick to bounce in the six-yard box.
Tella came off the bench in the second half – and within two minutes had steered home Kyle Walker-Peters’ pinpoint low ball across the face of the Fulham penalty area.
Fulham, whose relegation had been confirmed by Monday’s defeat at home to Burnley, pulled one back as 18-year-old Fabio Carvalho drilled in off the crossbar to score on his first Premier League start.
But the teenager’s strike, Fulham’s first goal from open play in more than seven and a half hours, could not prevent Scott Parker’s side slipping to a seventh defeat in eight league games.
Southampton, who move up a place to 13th, sealed victory in the closing stages as Adams and Tella combined, the latter’s backheel finding Theo Walcott, whose shot looped home via a slight deflection.
Meanwhile Leeds United continued their fine form at the end of their first season back in the Premier League with an impressive victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.
Mateusz Klich curled in from the edge of the penalty area shortly before half-time and Jack Harrison’s flicked finish from Ezgjan Alioski’s strike after 60 minutes all but sealed the three points.
Substitute Rodrigo then scored twice in three minutes to complete a fine away win, producing a delightful chip over Bailey Peacock-Farrell for his first before rounding the Clarets keeper for Leeds’ fourth.
The result means Leeds have lost only once in nine league games and remain on course for a top-half finish – if not a late push for European football.
Burnley confirmed their Premier League safety with victory over Fulham on Monday and had made a promising start, but Charlie Taylor produced an excellent sliding block to deny Raphinha and the Brazilian also attempted an instinctive over-head strike prior to Klich’s opener.
Matej Vydra was thwarted by the outstretched leg of Illan Meslier as Burnley pushed for an equaliser, before the visitors’ dominant end to the contest ensured Burnley remain 15th.
Following the game, Burnley boss Sean Dyche confirmed a report will be passed to the Football Association after an on-field incident involving Dwight McNeil and Ezgjan Alioski.