Rusk labels Southampton dressing room 'one of frustration'

Jack Stephens put his side ahead in the first half but Emile Smith Rowe and Ryan Sessegnon scored late goals to give the Cottagers a win.

The result means Saints have dropped 28 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.

Speaking after the match, Rusk said: "It was one of frustration, disappointment, hurt and we’re desperate. We’re close to getting a really great point.

Ross Stewart has had to endure "dark, lonely days" in injury hell since joining Saints.

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"They are a top team. This season they are pushing for Europe for a reason and we nearly got a really good result, so of course the lads are gutted.

"As the week goes on we can’t be victims about it. We’re going to have to use that and at the end of the day, these are the things that drive you on.

"It felt great last week, felt great and this week it hurts. One thing is for sure by the time we get to next week, we will be ready to go again.

"I don’t think it will be hard to pick the players up. I think they are desperate to finish the season as well as they can. We are a relegated team.

"The focus is we want to finish the season strongly, pulling in one direction. We’re hoping we can give the supporters as many good moments as possible.

"The players want to deliver as many points as possible and that won’t change. These are a good bunch of professionals, but it has been a difficult year."

Saints led for nearly 60 minutes before substitute Smith Rowe equalised from the bench via a fortunate deflection off of Jan Bednarek.

"When you get in front and you work so hard to get to the stage of the game, and the first goal comes in the 73rd minute, it's disappointing," said Rusk.

"I think when you look at the investment into the squad Fulham have got and the set of players, there's a reason that they're challenging for Europe.

"To see the game slip away from you like that is really difficult, quite painful, but I still think there's a lot that we can take from that moving forward."