REPORT: Southampton progresses in Carabao Cup with win over Fulham

Michael Obafemi scored just his second professional goal to lift Southampton past Championship Fulham and into the Carabao Cup third round.

The 19-year-old striker combined with Nathan Redmond, whose low cross was easily turned in for a tap-in goal on 57 minutes.

Shortly before Obafemi gave Southampton a deserved lead, Redmond had come close with a header while Oriol Romeu was denied his chance by Marek Rodak.

Fulham wasn’t without their share of chances in the opening stanza, as the hosts struck the underside of the bar from a free-kick before Alex McCarthy tipped the rebound over.

Southampton tried firmly to see the game out late by adding a second goal, but Rodak kept the visitors at bay with a well-timed saved on Ings before denying Yoshida’s header.

The jubilation of progressing to the next round was marred, however, as Southampton was dealt a pair of injury blows when Obafemi and Redmond exited eight minutes apart.

Fulham: Rodak, McDonald, Le Marchand, Bryan, Christie, Kamara (Taylor-Crossdale (90+2), De La Torre (Davis 90), Johansen (Francois 80), O’Riley, Onomah, De Cordova-Reid.

Unused subs: Norman (GK), Odoi, Opoku, Sessegnon.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Johansen (47), Le Marchand (71).

Southampton: McCarthy, Danso, Bednarek (Yoshida 60), Hojbjerg, Cedric, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Djenepo, Boufal, Redmond (Long 76), Obafemi (Ings 68).

Unused subs: Gunn GK), Armstrong, Valery, Stephens.

Goals: Obafemi (57).

Bookings: Danso (6), Ward-Prowse (8).

Attendance: 8,467.

Referee: Robert Jones.