Fulham have moved into seventh position in the Premier League table courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Southampton at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.

James Ward-Prowse scored at both ends to leave the scores level early in the second period, but Joao Palhinha won it for the home side in the 88th minute of the contest.

The result has left Southampton bottom of the table, boasting just 12 points from their opening 17 matches.

Fulham had the first half-chance of the match in the 11th minute when Willian combined with Andreas Pereira before unleashing a shot, but his effort was just wide of the away side's post.

Southampton had a golden chance to take the lead in the 19th minute when Che Adams found himself in a one-on-one situation with Bernd Leno, but the Fulham goalkeeper was on hand to make a brilliant save.

The home team then made the breakthrough in the 32nd minute, with Pereira's volley from the edge of the box taking a deflection off Ward-Prowse before looping into the back of the net.

Fulham were the side pressing for the game's second goal in the latter stages of the first half, but opportunities were few and far between, with the own goal from Ward-Prowse separating the sides at the interval.

Southampton were level in the 56th minute, though, and it was Ward-Prowse who came up with the leveller, finding the back of the net with a brilliant free kick from some 30 yards out.

The Saints then had a chance to take the lead through Samuel Edozie, but the 19-year-old was denied by a strong challenge from Kenny Tete before Leno made a save moments later.

Tete was then involved down the other end in the 73rd minute, firing over the crossbar after a mistake from Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

Fulham managed to score a second in the 88th minute of the contest, with Palhinha heading home at the far post after Tete had met a corner from Pereira.

Marco Silva's side had a chance to score a third from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time when Lyanco fouled Tom Cairney inside the box, but Aleksandar Mitrovic saw his effort kept out by Bazunu.

Next up for Fulham is a trip to Leicester City on January 3, while Southampton will continue their Premier League campaign at home to Nottingham Forest on January 4.