Barclays Premier League

FULHAM 1, SOUTHAMPTON 1.

Southampton nick a well-deserved point, as they controlled the second half for large chunks. The goal was rather fortuitous however, as a weak handball decision against Brede Hangeland gave Rickie Lambert a chance to level from the spot. He made no mistake, and the Saints almost went on to win it late on. Dimitar Berbatov had scored for the home side earlier. All things considered, a draw was probably a fair result, but the Cottagers will still feel agrieved by that penalty decision.

FREE KICK

Brede Hangeland heads John Arne Riise's free kick narrowly wide, and that's the final action. Full time - Fulham 1, Southampton 1.

SUBSTITUTION

Guly is on for Gaston Ramirez in a last-ditch attempt to steal it! But it's Fulham who have a chance following a silly foul by Nathaniel Clyne. Free kick for the Cottagers...

GOAL OR NOT?

Southampton almost steal it at the death; in fact, they believe they should have. Gaston Ramirez's inswinger is parried by Mark Schwarzer over his own head and gathered at the second attempt. The Southampton players appeal but the linesman isn't in a good position and no goal is awarded.

GOOOAAALLL

Rickie Lambert makes no mistake! He drills the ball into the top-right corner, leaving Mark Schwarzer with no chance. Philippe Senderos is booked for dissent, but he has reason to complain, as the penalty decision was pretty tenuous at best!

PENALTY!!

Southampton are handed a lifeline! The ground falls silent as an unexplainable penalty is awarded to the Saints. Upon second viewing, it was for a handball against Brede Hangeland. Rickie Lambert steps up...

WHERE'S THE LOGIC?

Nigel Adkins' late substitution has proved ineffective, as Rodriguez is playing on the left wing, so the visitors are still outnumbered in the area. Has Adkins not been watching the game? Rickie Lambert really needs some support in the box.

SUBSTITUTION

Giorgos Karagounis comes on for Rodellega, as Fulham aim to shore things up. It initially doesn't go to plan though, as the Greek international gives the ball away dangerously. Once again, however, the Saints fail to capitalise.

FREE KICK FOR THE SAINTS

The game is really there for the taking, if only Southampton could make the most of their chances. Gaston Ramirez wastes another free kick, before Rickie Lambert's attempted volley goes over - it was a superb delivery from Luke Shaw. Jay Rodriguez is finally introduced, replacing Steven Davis - too little too late?

WASTEFUL

Gaston Ramirez hasn't been up to his usual standard today, and wastes another chance by trying a clever chip in to Rickie Lambert. Needless to say, it doesn't reach the target.

CHANGE IN STRATEGY

With that substitution, Hugo Rodallega has rejoined Dimitar Berbatov up front, which seemed to be working fine in the first half. Meanwhile, Brede Hangeland's attempted header from a Bryan Ruiz corner is expertly blocked.

THE FINAL STRAW

Ashkan Dejagah obviously didn't get any shooting boots for Christmas, as he drags another shot wide of goal. Fulham put together their best move of the game, with Dimitar Berbatov finding Dejagah in the area, who once again misses the target. Martin Jol has seen enough and immediately replaces him with Kerim Frei, much to the delight of the home fans.

TIME FOR A CHANGE?

Southampton's increasing pressure has plateaued in the last few minutes, so I wouldn't be surprised if Nigel Adkins makes a change soon. Jay Rodriguez is on the bench, and the Saints could do with an extra man up there with Rickie Lambert.

GOOD CHALLENGE

Jason Puncheon beats the offside trap this time, but a last minute challenge from Philippe Senderos keeps the Saints at bay - for the time being, at least.

BIT OF EFFORT FROM THE SAINTS

This is all they needed to do in the first half - Fulham have hardly set the world alight with their mediocre performance, and this hard work from the Saints is really beginning to stretch the home side. This time Jason Puncheon is controversially flagged offside - he would have been through otherwise!

LET OFF FOR SHAW

Luke Shaw, who has outshone his teammates so far, makes an almost disastrous mistake, affording Ashkan Dejagah a clear sight at goal. With the goal at his mercy, Dejagah makes an embarrassing miss and rightly hides his head in his hands.

HIGHER LEVEL

Fulham are also looking a little brighter in this second half, and the introduction of Bryan Ruiz has really added some style to their play. Still no change in scoreline, though.

RAMIREZ PASS

Gaston Ramirez was quiet in the first half - almost silent. However, a slight change in position has seen him perk up a little. This time, his through ball almost gives Rickie Lambert a golden opportunity, but the tricky conditions make controlling the ball too dificult.

LAST BOXING DAY WIN

Fulham's Boxing Day record isn't great; their last Boxing Day win came nine years ago. Their opponents? Southampton, of course.

EARLY SHOT

Jason Puncheon goes close with a curling effort from the edge of the area. It doesn't quite curl enough and ends up going about a yard wide. Mark Schwarzer probably had it covered anyway.

KICK OFF

The second half is underway. Fulham have brought Bryan Ruiz on at half time. Alex Kacaniklic has departed.

FIRST HALF SUMMARY

A fairly comfortable 1-0 lead for Fulham at half time - Dimitar Berbatov put them ahead early on, but made a mockery of a subsequent free header. It's been a pretty even affair in terms of possession, but Southampton have rarely called Mark Schwarzer into action. The conditions haven't helped either, as the quality of play deteriorated as the rain kept pelting down - let's hope the second half starts as the first did.

HALF TIME

Alex Kacaniklic balloons it over the bar to draw a close to the first half, after just one minute of added time. Fulham 1, Southampton 0.

ONE FOR THE FUTURE?

Luke Shaw has really grown as a footballer this season, providing Southampton's main threat as he roams the left flank. His defending isn't too shabby either - a long term replacement for Ashley Cole, perhaps?

GOOD SPELL OF PRESSURE FROM SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton are afforded possession in a dangerous area after Riise leaves the ball, anticipating a goal kick. Rickie Lambert has other ideas and keeps the ball in - his determination leads to a couple of chances, including a blocked shot from Gaston Ramirez. Best spell of the game so far for Southampton.

LONG RANGE EFFORT

Morgan Schneiderlin gets another shot on the board for the visitors, but it's from way out and doesn't trouble Mark Schwarzer. Schwarzer's goal kick isn't great but John Arne Riise helps his keeper out, winning a free kick in the process.

ACTION DYING DOWN

The action is coming to a bit of a standstill at the moment, as Fulham assume control. While Southampton are getting into some decent positions, they aren't threatening Mark Schwarzer's goal at all, while the home side are looking the more likely to add to their lead.

RIISE CROSSES

John Arne Riise is proving somewhat of a nuisance for the visitors, as he puts a series of crosses in from the left, none of which are attacked. He then has a chance for a trademark long shot, but dithers on the ball for too long and the chance is spurned.

DECENT FOOTBALL

25 minutes in, and it's not really the cagey encounter we anticipated. Both sides are trying to impose themselves, and both are creating good chances. The next goal could be vital, and it might not be too far away.

SCHWARZER ALERT

Not for the fist time, Jason Puncheon gets the better of John Arne Riise, but the fine cross is pointless as Rickie Lambert, the lone striker, can't get on the end of it. Mark Schwarzer is alert and makes the interception.

GOOD EFFORT FROM CORK

Maya Yoshida makes a good interception and releases Jack Cork, who forces Mark Schwarzer to make a smart save. It's looking better for the Saints, who have rarely threatened the Fulham goal so far.

WHAT A MISS!

The man of the moment shows why he is such a controversial figure, by making a hash of a golden opportunity to double up. Alex Kacaniklic puts the ball in towards the penalty spot, where Berbatov is all alone - the nearest defender around three yards away - but the Bulgarian somehow manages to head the ball 10 yards wide of goal!

POOR SERVICE

Despite having Gaston Ramirez in support, Rickie Lambert is looking pretty isolated up there. The Southampton attacks aren't rare, but they ineffective when they do occur. The long ball tactic isn't working so far.

BERBATOV'S THE MAN

We said that the Bulgarian could prove the difference today, and he really looks up for this game. He hadn't scored since November, but a player of his quality can pop up at any moment, as the Saints have found out the hard way. Just to confirm, Berbatov was booked for lifting up his shirt during the celebration.

CAUTIONED

Dimitar Berbatov was cautioned in the process of that goal, possibly for his celebration.

MORE ON THAT GOAL

Sascha Riether creates the goal for the Londoners, as he puts the ball dangerously across the six-yard box. The ball bypasses Luke Shaw and Kelvin Davis' poor attempt to get a hand to it, and finds DIMITAR BERBATOV at the back post waiting to tap home. 1-0 Fulham.

GOOOAAALLL

Fulham take the lead at Craven Cottage! It's Berbatov!

GOOD CLEARANCE FROM YOSHIDA

John Arne Riise created some space for himself on the left, before lofting the ball towards Hugo Rodallega at the back post. Maya Yoshida does well to keep the right side of the attacker and make a commanding clearance.

DECENT DELIVERIES

The visitors have looked quite positive early on, and both Luke Shaw and Jason Puncheon have put some decent deliveries into the area. Nobody has had the initiative to get on the end of them, though.

TORRENTIAL

It's absolutely pouring down in London, which could affect play. There's already been a few dodgy bounces, before Steven Sidwell attempted to catch the keeper off guard with a bobbling shot. It went just wide, however.

KICK OFF

The Saints get us underway at Craven Cottage.

SOUTHAMPTON LINE-UP

The Saints' line-up is pretty regular, with Gaston Ramirez playing in 'the hole' behind Rickie Lambert. Jason Puncheon and Morgan Schneiderlin will provide the flanked attacks, and all four are capable of tipping the game in Southampton's favour.

FULHAM LINE-UP

Steve Sidwell returns for the Cottagers, meaning that Aaron Hughes drops to the bench. Brian Ruiz, still recovering from injury, is among the substitutes, while Hugo Rodallega, who came on as a sub against Liverpool, makes the starting XI, partnering Dimitar Berbatov up front.

LIVE COMMENTARY

Kick off is at 15.00 BST. Join us around half an hour beforehand for confirmed team news, followed by live text commentary.

SOUTHAMPTON TEAM NEWS

Adam Lallana continues his stint on the sidelines, still suffering with knee ligament damage. With no other fresh injuries, the Saints are sure to give the hosts a run for their money today.

FULHAM TEAM NEWS

Fulham's squad will be bolstered by the return of the influential Steve Sidwell, whom the Cottagers missed dearly against Liverpool; he is back from suspension. It's still touch and go with Brian Ruiz, while Mladen Petric and Mahamadou Diarra are also doubtful.

CAGEY AFFAIR

Southampton started the season with a real vulnerability at the back, but have tightened up of late, conceding just five goals in the last seven games. Dimitar Berbatov's early good form seems to have dissipated, and now has a pretty average five goals to his name. Unless Fulham's “reluctant entertainer” can find some form this afternoon, we could be in for a cagey affair.

MATCH PREVIEW

Today's slice of festive action takes place at Craven Cottage, with Fulham taking on basement-lingering Southampton. There'll be no gift exchanges this afternoon, however, as both sides aim to put some distance between themselves and the drop zone; Southampton's mini-revival was short-lived as they returned to their struggling ways with a 1-0 loss against Sunderland last time out. Fulham have five points breathing space, but coming off the back of two losses on the bounce – including a really poor performance against Liverpool – they can't afford to relax yet.