Barry Hayles pounced to shoot Fulham into the FA Cup fourth round as Kevin
Keegan's men delivered a knockout blow to Premiership strugglers Southampton for
the second time this season.
The £2m striker smashed home a simple goal five minutes from time to
send Craven Cottage into raptures and book a trip to Aston Villa in the next
round.
The frantic third round replay, played for 90 minutes at a helter-skelter
pace, had looked destined for extra-time until Hayles, signed from Bristol
Rovers earlier this season, stabbed home the winner.
Southampton failed to clear Fulham's left-wing corner and Matt Brazier fired a
shot through a crowded goalmouth from long range.
Keeper Paul Jones, who had kept the Second Division leaders at bay all night,
could not hold the rasping drive and Hayles sent the rebound into the roof of
the net.
It was the second time this season the Cottagers have dumped Southampton out
of a knockout competition after beating them in the Worthington Cup late last
year, again after a replay.
Keegan's men held out for a nailbiting last few minutes but they had done
enough to spark a night of celebration for the little west London club.
Fulham had edged the first half, rarely giving their Premiership visitors a
moment to settle and were more than worth the goal which took so long in
coming.
They played with the gusto expected of a lower league side thrown in against
top-flight opposition in the FA Cup, even though many onlookers fully expected
Keegan's side to record another upset.
Saints could have ended any jitters they had in the opening minutes when they
carved up the home defence with a sweeping move.
A deft Mark Hughes touch unlocked the defence and released Hassan Kachloul,
who exchanged passes with Egil Ostenstad, before forcing a save from former
Saints keeper Maik Taylor with a low shot.
The home side bounced back quickly, cheered on by a noisy crowd of more than
17,000 who had answered Keegan's call to get behind the team after the 1-1 draw
at The Dell.
Steve Hayward tested Jones with a 20-yard free-kick which reared viciously off
the turf. The sudden change in direction surprised the Saints keeper but he
reacted superbly to tip the ball round the post.
Ken Monkou almost gifted Fulham the lead when his attempt to clear a Paul
Bracewell shot sliced off his boot and spun back towards his own goal. Again
Jones readjusted well to tip it over the bar.
Half-chances came and went at both ends during a frenzied second half with
both teams throwing men forward in a bid to settle the tie before extra-time.
Hayward again went close with a long-range shot which dipped just over the
crossbar and David Howells twice tested Taylor in a matter of minutes with a
header and a shot.
Substitute Neil Smith, thrown on a half-time by Keegan, rattled a good chance
wide for Fulham and Ostenstad's shot on the turn was deflected wide.
Jones pulled off a breathtaking one-handed save to deny Hayles in the closing
stages but he could do nothing minutes later to prevent the same man stealing in
to cap a memorable night for Fulham.
Teams
Fulham: Taylor, Neilson, Brazier, Finnan, Coleman, Symons,
Hayward, Bracewell (Uhlenbeek 75), Horsfield (Smith 36),
Peschisolido (Lehmann 46), Hayles.
Subs Not Used: Arendse, Salako.
Booked: Coleman, Symons.
Goals: Hayles 85.
Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Colleter, Monkou, Lundekvam, Hughes,
Beattie, Oakley (Le Tissier 63), Ostenstad, Kachloul,
Howells (Ripley 87).
Subs Not Used: Stensgaard, Hiley, Bridge.
Booked: Beattie.
Att: 17,448
Ref: D Gallagher (Banbury).
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