In a thrilling Premier League clash at Selhurst Park, Fulham delivered an impressive 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, extending their unbeaten run against the Eagles to six matches. This victory also halted Palace’s hopes of consecutive London derby wins, denying them the first pair of league wins against local rivals since April 2017.
Slow Start for Palace: Fulham’s Early Domination
Crystal Palace’s season had already been challenging, with just one win from their first nine games (D4, L5). This poor form continued as Fulham quickly asserted dominance in the opening stages. Palace, who had been dealing with an injury crisis, struggled to gain control, as the visitors’ attacking flair kept them on the back foot.
Fulham’s Reiss Nelson, fresh off a solid performance against Brentford, fired several early warning shots, testing the resolve of Palace’s defense. Emile Smith Rowe, full of confidence, had the ball in a dangerous position but was denied by a heroic sliding challenge from Maxence Lacroix. Despite these early scares, the Eagles eventually grew into the game.
Palace’s Fightback: A Glimpse of Hope
As the first half unfolded, Palace began to find their rhythm. Marc Guéhi had a header that narrowly missed the target, and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s header was cleared off the line by Joachim Andersen, Fulham’s former Selhurst Park favorite. The Eagles were knocking on the door, but luck was not on their side. Alex Iwobi fired a half-volley at the other end that went just wide.
However, the crucial turning point came just before halftime. A costly mistake from Lacroix handed Fulham the initiative. In stoppage time, Smith Rowe played a quick one-two with Raúl Jiménez and slotted the ball low past Dean Henderson, giving the visitors a deserved lead.
A Missed Opportunity and VAR Drama
Both teams emerged unchanged after the break, with Crystal Palace hoping to capitalize on the home advantage. Fulham, though, looked comfortable and continued to press forward. Justin Devenny, making his first Premier League start, had a chance to change the game with a set-piece delivery. However, Fulham’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, was equal to the task, plucking the ball out of the air before launching a rapid counter-attack.
At this moment, Fulham thought they had doubled their lead as Smith Rowe tucked in a low cross from Iwobi. But much to Palace’s relief, VAR stepped in, ruling out the goal for an offside. With Andreas Pereira’s close-range shot saved by Henderson, Fulham continued to press, but the Cottagers looked confident and in control.
The Red Card That Changed the Game
As the game wore on, Palace’s hopes dwindled further when Daichi Kamada was sent off for a reckless challenge on Fulham’s Kenny Tete. The dismissal left Palace with 10 men, and with just 14 minutes left to play, Fulham were in a commanding position. Despite a brief moment of brilliance from Wales international Harry Wilson, who thought he had scored a second, his goal was ruled out for a handball, much to his dismay.
However, Fulham’s dominance was rewarded late in the game. With Palace still reeling from Kamada’s red card, Wilson found himself in the right place at the right time to finish a swift breakaway with a low shot, doubling Fulham’s lead and securing a vital three points for the visitors.
Palace Struggling at the Bottom
The defeat left Crystal Palace in dire straits, still firmly planted in relegation trouble. With only one win from their first 11 league matches, Palace are just one point above the relegation zone and will need to find form quickly to avoid a battle for survival. The loss also leaves manager Roy Hodgson with much to ponder as his injury-ravaged squad struggles to compete in the Premier League.
Fulham’s Rise: A Bright Future Ahead
For Fulham, this win marks another step forward in their impressive campaign. Having just secured a dramatic late win over Brentford, the Cottagers are now level on points with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Aston Villa, sitting in sixth place in the Premier League standings. With an exciting attacking lineup and solid defensive performances, Fulham is well-positioned to challenge for a European spot at the end of the season.
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