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Paul Brown at Daily Star |
Fulham (0) 2-2 (1) Crystal Palace
Fulham fans got an exciting glimpse of the future as their Premier League status became a thing of the past.
But Felix Magath's squad waved goodbye to the top flight with a blast from their manager AND chairman Shahid Khan ringing in their ears.
Some of them have simply not been good enough this season - but Khan accused them of not trying hard enough either in his programme notes, while Magath admitted they "never fight".
There were some positives signs at Craven Cottage, where 19-year-old Cauley Woodrow celebrated a brilliant performance by scoring his first goal for the club.
A stunning late equaliser from another rising star, 21-year-old Chris David, also gave Fulham hope that the future could be bright.
But they failed to sign off a dreadful season with a win in front of their long-suffering fans because of two goals from Crystal Palace hero Dwight Gayle.
Khan pulled no punches, and issued a public apology for allowing Fulham to be relegated after 13 seasons at the top.
He said: "You have my word that Fulham will return to the Premier League not only as soon, but as smartly as possible.
"For that to happen we will feature players who are committed to Fulham, who passionately care about the badge and who will take personal and professional accountability at every turn.
"To be clear, many of our players answered that call this season, and I thank them all.
"But as our record suggests, compliance throughout the entire squad was severely lacking.
"That's simply unacceptable. We will be better in 2014-15 and I have complete faith in Felix Magath to select and develop a squad that will meet this challenge."
Boss Magath added: "We never fight as a team against relegation. I'm sorry to say such things. But I see Sunderland and Norwich playing. They had much more fight.
"I asked my team: 'What's going on?' One was telling me: 'We cannot fight.' I have never heard that before. I was surprised."
Magath is staying on for life in the Championship and he is already planning to rely on youth next season.
That may not be a bad idea. The club's Academy is thriving. Fulham reached the FA Youth Cup final, finished fifth in the under-21 Premier League, and have a wealth of talent emerging.
Both Woodrow and David provided evidence of that. But there is also Moussa Dembele, Patrick Roberts and Dan Burn. All should have bright futures.
Gayle fired Palace in front in the 39th minute when he redirected a shot from Joel Ward past David Stockdale.
Woodrow equalised with a brilliant individual goal after good work from Hugo Rodallega in the 61st minute - but Gayle then curled in a free kick to put Palace back in front.
David stepped off the bench to smash home a late equaliser from 25 yards. But it was the Palace fans singing loudest at the end.
Eagles boss Tony Pulis, whose side were safe weeks ago and who finally finished 11th, will now sit down with chairman Steve Parish to discuss his future.
Pulis said: "The players have had a right go. They didn't put their sandals on.
"I had a good chat with Steve last Thursday. We'll meet again this week and hopefully get where we both want to be."
Source Fulham 2-2 Crystal Palace Prem 38 1314 Daily Star