Quick Read
- Southampton defeated Fulham 1-0 in the FA Cup fifth round on March 8, 2026.
- Ross Stewart scored the winning goal from a penalty in the 91st minute.
- The victory sends Southampton into the FA Cup quarter-finals, eliminating Fulham.
LONDON (Azat TV) – Southampton has secured a victory over Fulham, winning 1-0 in their FA Cup fifth-round clash at Craven Cottage on Saturday, March 8, 2026. The decisive goal came from Ross Stewart, who converted a penalty in the 91st minute, sending the Championship promotion hopefuls into the quarter-finals and eliminating the Premier League side.
Late Drama Seals Southampton’s FA Cup Progress
The match, which kicked off at 12:00 GMT, was a tight affair with few clear-cut chances for either side. Both teams had battled through tough ties to reach this stage, with Fulham aiming for a third quarter-final appearance in four seasons and Southampton seeking to continue their impressive nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Fulham, currently 10th in the Premier League, had shown strong form in recent weeks, including victories against Tottenham and Sunderland. However, they were unable to break down a resolute Southampton defence, which has been a hallmark of their successful run under Russell Martin. The Cottagers had reached the fifth round by defeating Stoke City, while Southampton had overcome Doncaster Rovers and then edged out Leicester City in extra time.
Southampton’s Resilience and Stewart’s Spot-Kick
Southampton, seventh in the Championship, arrived at Craven Cottage with considerable confidence, having lost only two of their last six matches. Their ability to grind out results, particularly away from home, was evident throughout the contest. Despite a yellow card for Kuryu Matsuki and Finn Azaz, and a late injury scare for goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, the Saints remained focused.
The breakthrough came when Finn Azaz drew a penalty in the dying moments of the match. Ross Stewart stepped up to calmly dispatch the spot-kick past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, securing a memorable win for the visitors. Joachim Andersen of Fulham was shown to have conceded the penalty.
Fulham’s FA Cup Campaign Ends
For Fulham, the defeat marks the end of their FA Cup journey for the season. Manager Marco Silva had expressed a desire to progress, but his side could not find the necessary cutting edge. The team’s efforts included blocked shots from Alex Iwobi and Jorge Cuenca, and a save from Southampton’s Daniel Peretz on a Ryan Sessegnon effort.
The match saw several yellow cards, with Fulham’s Samuel Chukwueze and Southampton’s Kuryu Matsuki and Finn Azaz being cautioned. Substitutions were made by both sides in an attempt to break the deadlock, but it was Stewart’s penalty that ultimately decided the outcome.
The late penalty conversion by Ross Stewart underscores Southampton’s emergent resilience and ability to perform under pressure against higher-division opposition, highlighting a potential for further disruption in the latter stages of the FA Cup.