Fulham came into this game in great form, with a win and three draws from a tough run of fixtures that included matches against Tottenham, Brighton, Arsenal and Liverpool.

That had let to talk the club could make a real push for Europe this season. With that in mind, as manager Marco Silva was quick to admit, this was a glorious chance for a victory that slipped by against bottom-of-the-league Southampton, who had an interim manager in charge.

Fulham were by far the better team and only a couple of inspired saves from away goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale – to deny Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson – kept it goalless.

Southampton offered so little in attack, so much so their fans started chanting ‘we had a shot’ when Adam Armstrong’s 56th-minute effort was comfortably saved by Bernd Leno.

Silva’s introduction of Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore in the 62nd minute looked to have swung the game in Fulham’s favour. Traore instantly set up Wilson’s chance and then should have been the match-winner himself with three minutes left on the clock, only to drag an angled effort wide of the post.

Next up for Fulham is a tasty west London derby against rivals Chelsea on 26 December.