Crystal Palace’s astonishing Premier League rise continued on Sunday as captain Marc Guehi powered home an 87th minute header to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. The late strike capped an industrious Palace display and propelled Oliver Glasner’s side into the top four, making the club’s highest league position this deep into a Premier League season.
Palace arrived in west London missing several key players, yet showed early intent. Jean Philippe Mateta twice threatened before Eddie Nketial, stepping in for the injured Ismaila Sarr, delivered the breakthrough in the 20th minute. The forward took full advantage of Adam Wharton’s incisive through ball, drilling a composed finish low into the bottom right corner. It marked Nketiah’s third Premier League goal against Fulham the joint most he has scored against any club.
Fulham initially struggled to respond, though Emile Smith Rowe forced a flying save from Dean Henderson to warn the visitors. The warning became reality shortly before half time. A slick one two between Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez freed the Welshman on the edge of the area and Wilson curled an exquisite outside of the boot effort into the far corner to level the match in style.
The second half erupted with pace and energy. Kenny Tete flashed a fierce attempt over the bar moments after the restart, while Mateta dragged a gilt edged chance wide at the other end. Fulham believed they had turned the game on its head when Samuel Chukwueze’s wicked cross was headed against the woodwork by Alex Iwobi, with Smith Rowe sweeping in the rebound. But VAR intervened, ruling that Chukwueze had strayed narrowly offside in the build up.
Marco Silva pushed aggressively for a winner, turning to attack heavy substitutions, but the alterations seemed to blunt Fulham’s rhythm rather than enhance it. Palace, conversely, managed the game with increasing control and carved out two late chances before finally delivering the decisive blow.
With just three minutes of normal time remaining, Yeremy Pino whipped in an in swinging corner that Guehi anticipated perfectly. Peeling away from his marker at the near post, the England defender launched himself at the delivery and powered a thumping header past Bernd Leno to secure all three points. It was Palace’s latest Premier League away win since Micheal Olise’s 94th minute strike at West Ham in 2022.
The result extends Palace’s excellent away form under Glasnet. Since the Austrian’s arrival in march 2024, only Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have earned more Premier League points on the road. This victory also continues the remarkable run in this fixture: the last four meetings between Fulham and Palace have now been won by the away side.
For Palace, the win represents more than just three points it reinforces a growing belief that this team is evolving into one of the league’s most resilient challengers. With European football already secured last season through their stunning FA Cup triumph and a top four position now in sight, Crystal Palace’s fairytale continues to gather momentum.
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