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Fulham manager
Chris Coleman |
Fulham manager Chris Coleman saluted his Fulham side for an "outstanding" display as they beat Southampton 2-0 to go fourth.
Louis Saha scored both goals for Fulham and manager Coleman was pleased to end a recent slump.
And Coleman was pleased with the manner of victory as well as the result as he praised his players for their improved passing.
"It was very pleasing," he said. "It was very important to get a result as we had lost two on the bounce. The performance was a lot better.
"We were brilliant, outstanding. Our work rate was superb. We passed the ball today, which we didn't do against Chelsea. When we had the ball we showed a bit of composure. We took the game to them."
Coleman singled out his three central midfielders and two centre backs for praise.
"Martin Djetou and Junichi Inamoto won the ball really well today and released Lee Clark, who has a little bit of guile. Louis Saha was the icing on the cake," he added.
"That's probably the best I've seen Zat Knight play. He and Alain Goma were superb."
Southampton Boss Gordon Strachan criticised his players for a "stinking performance" as Southampton were beaten 2-0 at Fulham.
Strachan willingly accepted that Fulham were superior but felt his team's poor passing made it easier for Chris Coleman's side.
And he said the best outfield players of the game all came from the home team.
"I'm hugely disappointed. It gets worse as time elapses. It was a stinking performance, it was poor," he said.
"We got beaten by a far better team. Their chiefs were good and their Indians followed. Our chiefs were poor. Along the centre of the park, their players outplayed ours
"We play a high-energy game but most of our energy was used up chasing the ball because our passing was poor. The simple thing was passing the ball 10 yards and we gave the ball away numerous times."
Strachan praised Fulham, adding "They work hard. They are a good side."
Saints had come off a run of three consecutive wins but Strachan insisted: "We've not been playing cosmic football. We've been playing ordinary football that got results."