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Graeme Le Saux shot wide early on and the excellent Kevin Phillips set up Brett Ormerod but his left-foot volley was kept out by Edwin van der Sar.

Immediately after the interval Anders Svensson's close range effort was saved as the Saints' dominance continued.

Fulham pressed slightly more after the hour and Brian McBride had the visitors' best effort but he failed to beat keeper Antti Niemi.

The home side dominated the opening exchanges and after four minutes Graeme Le Saux drilled in a right-footed shot from 20 yards but it flashed wide of the post.

Kevin Phillips looked lively for Southampton and appeared most likely to break the deadlock but was largely starved of possession.

Phillips was instrumental in Saints' best moves and crossed on 22 minutes for Brett Ormerod.

But from six yards he failed to make a firm enough contact and Van der Sar tipped over the bar.

Fulham lacked penetration and their frustration began to manifest itself when Steed Malbranque was booked for unsporting behaviour after fouling Marian Pahars.

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The Latvian was starting his first Premiership match for over a year and was largely a peripheral figure.

Fulham showed little attacking intent and were content on just containing Southampton.

By contrast, the effervescent Phillips was incisive and his pass was coolly brought down by Svensson but from eight yards out he was denied by the alert Van der Sar to keep parity at the break.

After the interval Ormerod evaded a couple of challenges but his left-footed shot was saved by the outstanding Van der Sar.

In an attempt to stem the tide, Fulham boss Chris Coleman made a tactical substitution, bringing on Bobby Petta for Malbranque.

Fulham came into the game a little more after the hour, and McBride came close to grasping all three points but from just eight yards out his effort was saved.

Southampton: Niemi, Dodd, Michael Svensson, Higginbotham, Le Saux, Telfer, Delap, Anders Svensson, Pahars, Ormerod (Beattie 75), Phillips.
Subs Not Used: Smith, Hall, Baird, Fernandes.

Booked: Phillips.

Fulham: Van der Sar, Volz, Knight, Pearce, Bocanegra, Djetou, Malbranque (Petta 58), Sean Davis (Inamoto 89), Clark (Legwinski 65), Boa Morte, McBride.
Subs Not Used: Crossley, Hayles.

Booked: Malbranque, Volz.

Attendance: 31,820.

Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).