Victory fails to lift pressure on Pellegrino

NOT even a first win in 10 could stop Southampton’s supporters from turning on under-pressure manager Mauricio Pellegrino at Craven Cottage yesterday.

The Premier League side avoided an FA Cup upset against Championship Fulham but it was Pellegrino’s decision to withdraw Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the second half that drew protests.

Jeers were directed at the away dugout despite them leading 1-0 through James Ward-Prowse’s goal, and Pellegrino has work to do to get in the fans’ good books.

‘When I make a change I think it is best for the team,’ Pellegrino said. ‘When the opponent is dominating, you need fresh players. I am not upset.

‘I understand when the fans have their opinions but when I am doing something I am thinking about my team and my players and not the fans.

‘It is an important result for us. [We can] hopefully use this game as a base to improve every single week.’

This came less than 24 hours after Virgil van Dijk marked his Liverpool debut with a winner in the Merseyside derby. Southampton are £75 million richer but are a team that lack quality.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s Fulham, it has to be said, were woeful. Up against a side that had not won since November, they struggled for shots on target.

Pellegrino put out a strong side, with Fulham making the most changes to their line-up, and Jokanovic said: ‘They showed in one situation some Premier League quality, they scored the goal, they won the game.’

It was in the 29th minute when Southampton grabbed what would turn out to be their winner.

A long ball to Sofiane Boufal saw the Moroccan feed Shane Long, who then got lucky as his attempt at a one-two saw the ball bounce off Fulham captain Kevin McDonald.

It handed Ward-Prowse the opportunity to score and the midfielder made no mistake, burying the ball beyond David Button.