It was a game of two halves at Craven Cottage as Saints came strong late on to send Fulham to the bottom of the table.

The news that Wanyama was back in and Jack Cork dropped was greeted with puzzlement by most Saints fans in the pubs of Putney pre match, Cork had been superb against Arsenal on Tuesday and his reward was a place on the bench.

This decision by Mauricio Pochettino soon turned out to be folly with the Kenyan way of the pace in the first half and Saints didn't have the fluency that they had in the middle of the park against the Gunners, indeed if it wasn't for Artur Boruc who made a string of good saves in that first 45 minutes the game could have turned out a lot differently than it did, but despite Fulham having the upper hand Saints kept them at bay to go in goaless.

For the second half Cork was on and the game swung with the fluency back in Saints play, Cork seemed determined to prove a point and that benefited Saints who looked better when defending and now seemed able to break quickly and ping the ball about with more confidence.

It was Cork himself who won the ball to start the move for the first goal and the ball was moved quickly out to Adam Lallana who took the ball wide and planted it firmly home to open the scoring with 26 minutes left.

From then on there would only be one winner, Clyne who had come on for Chambers shortly before the opener, overlapped well and his cross seemingly for Rodriguez was cleverly dummied by the striker to leave Rickie Lambert with a simple chance which he buried in typical style.

But with England manager Roy Hodgson watching all it needed now was the third player in Saints Holy Trinity to score and the best goal was left to the last, Rickie Lambert played a great ball down the wing for Rodriguez to chase, initially there looked little on but the Saints number 9 cut inside and then curled a sublime shot into the far corner before celebrating with the 5,000 or so Saints fans behind the goal.

The game had been won in 11 explosive minutes and Saints can take much from this performance and it leaves them with a great chance of not only going 7th next weekend.

The plus points were of course the form of Lambert, Lallana & Rodriguez as well as Boruc, all three could qualify for man of the match, as could Jack Cork who truly changed the game when he came on for the second half, however it was a true team performance and Wanyama aside who really was put into a game when he wasn't ready every Saints player played their part, be it the aerial power of Fonte or the hard running of Steven Davis.

The downside was Pochettino's decision to drop Jack Cork, not just for the painfully obvious reason that Wanyama was just not match fit and would have been far better used as a sub, but for the fact that it does send out the wrong message to the squad, players want to know that if they play well they keep their place, that clearly isn't the case for Cork, it was good to see that the manager realised his mistake and rectified it and did bring Cork on, something he had not done before Wanyama's injury, but it will be interesting to see what he does next week, It cannot be denied that wanyama is a strong player and brings something to the team, but so does Cork.

All in all a good day at the office for Saints and one in the eye for those who made mischief in the press and talked of players wanting to leave and team spirit being destroyed, anyone at Fulham would say that the spirit and passion of the players up in London on Saturday was as good as have ever seen.

Now Saints have a great chance to not only put distance between us and the clubs behind to ensure a top ten finish, but to overtake Newcastle and even Man Utd in the coming weeks

Photo: Action Images

codge added 12:43 - Feb 2 I could not agree more, why Cork was on the Subs bench and not starting made no sense other than the fact Wanyama cost to much to sit him. Should not be that way as Cork hasn't put a foot wrong since he has been starting.As you say the game changed as soon as he came on in the second half, we looked more cohesive.
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Stephen added 12:58 - Feb 2 Old style managers play someone because they had a good game the week before. Modern style managers look at issues like personal stats, tactics etc before choosing the team. Yes Wanyama was off the pace and Cork played well.
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thegeneral added 13:02 - Feb 2 Its hard to comment on this game without writing several paragraphs on the Cork/Wanyama situation, i guess at the end of the day us fans will be in one camp or the other. My feet are firmly planted on Jack Cork's side but i don't think MP agrees, if Wanyama continues to be picked ahead of Cork i really can't see him sticking around for another season which would be a bigger loss to the club than Wanyama going. The game was just as Nick describes, Boruc kept us in it for us to take Fulham apart in the second half following the correct team selection. Glad to see our England men play so well in front of Woy.

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Ddobsy added 13:07 - Feb 2 We missed Wanyama and Cork took a few games to get upto speed. Since then he has been outstanding. However the level of exertion that he must expend means both he and Sniederlien should be rested against weaker teams. Like many on hear if have done it the other way around, and brought Wanyama off the bench, but Poch didn't and had a clear demonstration of where Wanyama is in his recovery. Plus we won the game.

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CaptSensible added 13:14 - Feb 2 I think Pochettino wanted to give Wanyama game time. There are games coming up where we're going to need his strength in the team,both Stoke and West Ham games are more suited to him.
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IanRC added 13:46 - Feb 2 Absolutely agree about Cork. There has to be a way of rotating Wanyama / Cork / Schneiderlin to keep everyone happy. Really hope we can hold onto all three particularly Spider in the summer. For once all strikers were outstanding together in the second half (perhaps another blessing from the Osvaldo departure). Hopefully MoPo will learn the Cork lesson as he had to the Osvaldo lesson. Adam must be quids in for Brazil and Rickie and Jay didn't do their prospects any harm. Rickie's vision is superb, that ball down the wing for Jay's goal was sublime and all in front of Ray Hodgson. Also hope we can persuade Luke to stay on long term, there is something special happening on the south coast.

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OwenTheSaint added 14:05 - Feb 2 Could Wanyama play as a centre back? He played there a few times for Celtic. I'm not saying he could slot straight in there now but with a bit of training, it could be a great position for him. With the cover we've got in that position after Lovren and Fonte I think the idea of Wanyama at centre back is worth exploring. If he could adapt, his physical attributes suggest he could be a mainstay along side Lovren at the back. Both Wanyama and Cork are too good not to play.

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NorwegianSaint added 14:24 - Feb 2 Wanyama should wait his turn like Cork had to. Talk of playing Wanyama at centre back is rubbish, why change the winning team around to suit him?! On that note, I thought Yosh played well. If Vic is worth 12million then Jack must be worth 15! (Swansea bid of 4.... PML!) Also, the best thing about winning is the tv can stop going on about only winning 2 games in 10! Let's face it, we had some tough games and no Boruc!

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Bulgarian added 14:36 - Feb 2 I'd like to turn your attention to another important aspect: Rickie. Before the game and in the post-game interview it was obvious he's still hurt by the rumours (and most probably more than that) he can quit. Yesterday gave him, Poch and the fans a great opportunity to cement the status quo - Rickie is still invaluable to us. His goals appart, it was pure pleasure to see such unselfish play, intelligent passes and vision albeit with decreased speed. Rickie is now officially a Club legend - a role he was entitled to long ago. So glad for him and the Saints community. Plus: 1 chance - 1 goal. Long may it continue!

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stmichael added 14:38 - Feb 2 I said during the week that our front 3 of lambert Lallana and jrod was disrupted by osvaldo. That trio have a telepathic understanding and did not need changing. I think we under estimated the players already here. Ramirez wanyama and osvaldo are simply not good enough to get in the team. Cork and lambert do not and did not deserve to be mucked around which is also detrimental to the team. Having said that I agree with Adam , our manager is world class and we need to keep him.

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NorwegianSaint added 14:38 - Feb 2 Another stat.... With Artur in goal we have conceded 11goals in 17games (plus one when injured at Chelsea) With others in goal in all competitions 23goals in 13 games. This isn't saying how poor Davis and Gazza are... it shows how good Artur is!
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montecristo added 14:44 - Feb 2 the big one for me is the FA cup tie at Sunderland, who seem to be a different proposition under Gus Poyet. It is the kind of game we would need Wanyama at his very best for and hope fully he will be up to speed by then . This is not to decry Cork but Wanyama is an animal and when you dont want anyone to get a sniff in and around your penalty area I would stake the mortgage on Wanyama..

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halftimeorange added 14:45 - Feb 2 Let's be honest, Wanyama, never the best of passers had an absolute stinker all the time he was on the pitch. For him to have started ahead of Cork was unfathomable. Cork is unrecognisable from the player he was last season and is now better than others who have represented England. I doubt there's pressure from our owners to play Wanyama so the error yesterday must lay at the manager's door.

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saintmark1976 added 15:08 - Feb 2 A good report Nick missing only one thing, not enough praise for Ricky Lambert. I really do wonder how many more points we would now have if we had never ever heard of Mr Osvaldo together with the upset he appears to have caused and yes I was only joking when I posted about you being his agent. That is the beauty of football I suppose, it is all about opinions.
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schatfield added 18:10 - Feb 2 good report, agree with all others that Wanyama was truly awful (although to be honest, even when fit, his passes dont come close) - why we paid 12m for him, god only knows. Clyne also had a great game once bought on. Wondered where the missing Ramirez was once again (if not liked,why didnt we just get rid in Jan)....
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Boris1977 added 18:21 - Feb 2 schatfield - Ramirez is injured as a result of wes brown's clumsy challenge. He's out for several weeks at least.
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SonicBoom added 19:31 - Feb 2 Just worth pointing out that had cortese still been here, there are a lot of people that would be suggesting that he pressured MP to play Vw. At least we know now that is not the case.
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abingdonsaint added 20:12 - Feb 2 Saw the dark mutterings the other day about Poch being 'pressurised' into playing Wanyama. Utter nonsense in my view! Poch does not strike me as a 'yes man' in any way, and whilst as fans we have our opinions, sometimes we need to remember that we only see what happens on Saturdays. Poch is a professional football manager who is seeing and interacting with the players on a daily basis, so is making far more informed decisions than we ever can. As it happens, I think Corky has been brilliant on the last few games, but the fact is we are spoilt for choice in central midfield, and as Poch said post-match, he felt Wanyama needed game time, and Corky needed a rest. I am afraid I just don't buy this stuff about Corky being 'frozen out' either Nick. When asked about Swansea's bid in the window, Poch made it clear that he was important to us and definitely not for sale. I think the simple situation is that he regards Schneiderlin as indispensable, so it's between the other two for the remaining spot. Finally, I have to say I was extremely concerned when NC left, not so much because of him, but for the knock-on effects it could have had on Poch's position, the players, and the general direction of the club. Thankfully, so far so good, and we seem to have our mojo back for a late push. I still believe if we can keep this manager and young team together for a few more years, our performances against the likes of Man City and Arsenal, as well as now being way ahead of the likes of Fulham, mean that exciting times are ahead!

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SaintNick added 22:14 - Feb 2 saintmark, i could have put more about Rickie, but i could also say the same about anyone of around half a doze other players who all played big parts, I think did give him due credit though. With Osvaldo gone i think this will benefit Rickie and the team because we wont be trying to play both him and Osvaldo, sometimes circumstance plays a part in your luck so to speak

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schatfield added 00:59 - Feb 3 ahh yes i forgot ramirez was crocked... i have to agree with abgindonsaint - it is quite rare for a manager to realize he has a player not performing and pull them off at the start of the 2nd half - Nigel would never have done this, nor did Pardew, and likewise for most prem managers, but Poch has no problem with taking off a non performer as soon as he sees it. Love that.

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TijuanaTim added 07:30 - Feb 3 More a game of three halves (hours that is) each 30 minute period getting progressively better. Good subs! SRL heavily involved in all attacking threats. Borat was awesome.
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SaintNick added 10:00 - Feb 3 With regard to early subsActually Pardew did it quite a lot, I remember at Wycombe he brought off Antonio after 34 minutes because he was completely inneffective, at Gillingham he made a double sub at half time amongst two I can recall, Adkins would also make subs at half time although 50-55 minutes was usually when he did it
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COYS1947 added 12:48 - Feb 3 I agree with MoPo's decision to start with Wanyama ahead of Cork to give him game time. If hWanyama had pulled up or been really of the pace, he had Cork fully fit and able to replace him. The other way round would have been a risk, taking off a fit player and replacing with him with someone who might have not been fully fit or not up to speed. I think MoPo planned a half for each. COYS

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tiptop added 13:19 - Feb 3 Great to see the team showing their understanding with eachother. I think Steven Davis is worth a mention as of late has shown some real quality also on the ball and is keeping JWP at arms length. A tough unit like Wanyama makes a BIG diffrence - when he's up to speed as in the start of the season. Like Mulumbu at West Brom they win ball they really shouldn't just because of their physical presence and snuff out a lot of attacks..and start our own. Jack Cork is proving to the league (swansea among others) he is an (english) player of real quality who should def be in Hodgson's plans too. A prob is both need a run of games to be at their best. MoPo sees the two of them exclusively battling over one place in the team which is bad news. I can only see it ending one way. Jack Cork moving on as VW is MoPo's favoured option - even on the basis of Jacks outstanding performances. Another thing is I think JC would be the more inclined of the two to stay if bids came in during the summer transfer window... Particularly if MoPo moves on.

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SingaporeSaint added 13:36 - Feb 3 Agree with all. We were really good second half and not great in the first - Wanyama a major reason, and Boruc showed how important he is. Second half was great in particular once Clyne came on and gave us a balance on both flanks.. Fonte and Yoshida were very good too. Great spirit from the players and atmosphere from the fans - also 3 of the best and classy team goals you'll ever see. Future is bright!

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