Half a century ago Yvonne Fair wrote a tearful ballad about a woman attending her ex-lover's wedding and sobbing 'It should have been me.'
Fulham fans shared her pain last Saturday when Crystal Palace set off for a Wembley FA Cup semi-final, and the Whites had to settle for a visit to Southampton a team already sure of relegation.
In the corresponding match at the Cottage, the Saints' contingent had expressed pleasure at small victories like winning a corner. They were positively ecstatic to come away that day with a point and a clean sheet. Fulham could not afford to be so generous this time.
It was encouraging to see Willian and Harry Wilson in the starting line-up, two poachers well able to secure the necessary goals. The Whites started confidently and dominated the first quarter of an hour though without scoring. The outcome was almost inevitable. Ryan Manning's free kick laid on a perfect cross for Jack Stephens to head the opening goal. Shortly afterwards Stephens claimed to have been fouled by Calvin Bassey but the officials saw no reason for a penalty.
A scrappy period of play ensued in which Raul Jimenez squandered a trio of chances. Bassey and Willian found their route to goal blocked and Kamaldeen Sulemana brought Bernd Leno into the action.
Late in the first period Stephens intercepted a pass from Andreas Pereira that looked certain to bring the equaliser. Pereira may be inconsistent but he creates more opportunities than almost any other player in the Premier League. The home fans possibly felt relieved when Marco Silva withdrew him at the interval replacing him with Adama Traore.
The newcomer promptly conjured up the first of many chances, this one for Willian, who hit the post. Jimenez was still off target with his headers, Wilson could not produce a goal and Sessegnon was meeting stiff resistance. For the home side Sulemana remained a threat and Leno made a cracking save from Kyle Walker-Peters.
With half an hour left Silva replaced Willian with Emile Smith Rowe, a surprising choice perhaps but one that worked perfectly. Emile began a slick move which ended with his shot looping off Jan Benarek and over Aaron Ramsdaie. Now Fulham were playing with intensity and Ramsdale needed to be at his sharpest to prevent the substitute from doubling his tally.
Ninety minutes were up and Southampton still clung to a point but in added time Traore's low cross empowered Sessegnon to win the game with a spectacular header and to be voted Man of the Match by eight out of ten supporters. The month that started with a historic victory at Liverpool finished with the uncomfortably close defeat of Southampton. Meanwhile Palace rinsed Aston Villa as effectively as they had rinsed Fulham. I wish them luck against Manchester City.
Walking pace
Saturday's edition of The Times revealed that Adama Traore spends a greater proportion of playing time at walking pace than any other PL winger. That puts him alongside Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Wolves striker Matheus Cunha so he won't be too upset. He certainly got Fulham back on the winning trail. Stroll on, Adama.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
