Fulham continued their impressive form with a resounding 2-0 victory over a depleted Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park. Super-sub Harry Wilson once again proved to be the difference-maker, sealing the win just a minute and six seconds after coming on as a substitute. This victory further cemented Fulham’s rise in the Premier League, propelling them into sixth place and level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea. For Crystal Palace, the result serves as a stark reminder of their current struggles with injuries and a growing sense of unease as they hover just above the relegation zone.
Wilson’s heroics echoed his performance just days prior when he scored twice in injury time against local rivals Brentford. This time, he expertly finished a perfectly weighted pass from Alex Iwobi, demonstrating his clinical finishing ability. He nearly added a second goal in the 94th minute, but VAR ruled it out due to a handball in the build-up.
The game turned in Fulham’s favor when Crystal Palace found themselves down to ten men after Daichi Kamada received a red card for a reckless challenge on Kenny Tete. Already struggling with a string of injuries, including the absence of key creative midfielder Eberechi Eze, Palace was forced to field a makeshift midfield pairing of Marc Guehi and 21-year-old debutant Justin Devenny, exposing the depth issues within their squad.
The first half saw Fulham dominate possession and create numerous chances, with Emile Smith Rowe particularly impressive. He forced an error from Palace defender Maxence Lacroix, leading to a shot that found its way past Dean Henderson just before the break. The former Arsenal forward, clearly rejuvenated by his move to Fulham, was a constant threat, and he narrowly missed a second goal after the restart due to a close offside call.
Despite Palace’s efforts, Fulham continued to press forward, with Henderson needing to make several crucial saves to deny Andreas Pereira and Reiss Nelson. While Crystal Palace had a few close calls, including a headed effort cleared off the line by Joachim Andersen, the overall picture painted a clear story of a Fulham side brimming with confidence and a struggling Palace team facing an uphill battle with a thin squad.
This international break will provide a much-needed respite for both clubs, allowing Crystal Palace to recover their injured players and for Fulham to maintain their momentum. As the Premier League resumes, the contrasting fortunes of these two London clubs will be a compelling story to follow.
