Match Report
Fulham (1) 2-2 (1) Crystal Palace
Premiership Match Day 37 22/23 at Craven Cottage
Saturday 20th May 2023 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Josh Smith (Peterborough)
|
Fulham's top-seven chances officially ended at former manager Roy Hodgson's hands as Joel Ward's late leveller secured a 2-2 draw for Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.
Palace took the lead with their first shot of the game, against the run of play, as Odsonne Edouard scored on the counter-attack following a Fulham corner.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson thought he was taking a half-time lead back to the changing rooms on his return to Craven Cottage, but his side showed a lapse of concentration with seconds to go until the interval.
Tyrick Mitchell clumsily fouled Harry Wilson in the box and Aleksandar Mitrovic, returning to the starting line-up after his eight-game ban for striking an official, was there to blast home an equaliser for the hosts.
And minutes after Mitrovic missed a sitter in the seconds after half-time, the Serbian striker completed the comeback by heading home from Willian's free-kick, amid some poor marking from the visitors.
But Palace and Hodgson would have the last laugh as Ward tucked home on the second attempt after some poor Fulham marking from a free-kick themselves.
| Match Stats |
Fulham |
Crystal Palace |
| Goals |
(1)2 |
2 (1) |
|
| Scorers |
Mitrovic pen 45+4 |
Edouard 35 |
| Scorers |
Mitrovic 61 |
Ward 83 |
| , |
| Goal attempts |
11 |
11 |
| On target |
4 |
5 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
36% |
46% |
| Possession |
49% |
51% |
| Passes |
339 |
365 |
| Passes Success |
76% |
78% |
| Crosses |
23 |
15 |
| Crosses Success |
26% |
27% |
| Corners |
7 |
4 |
| Tackles |
16 |
11 |
| Tackles Success |
44% |
36% |
| Saves |
3 |
2 |
| Fouls |
13 |
12 |
| Offsides |
2 |
2 |
| Yellows |
3 |
0 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: SkySports |
Mitrovic came back into the starting line-up for the first time since his lengthy ban for manhandling a referee in Fulham's FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester United - and got a welcome return as he needed treatment for an unintentional elbow from Joachim Andersen.
But most of the first half was not so fierce. Fulham held plenty of the ball but lacked attacking impetus, with Tom Cairney seeing some early shots blocked.
Palace grew into the game and Bernd Leno had to smartly keep out an accidental own goal from both Issa Diop and Antonee Robinson in the same move - both Fulham defenders swiped wildly at Jordan Ayew's cross and needed their goalkeeper to punch away from close range.
But Palace took the lead with their first shot of the game - in a move which actually came from a Fulham corner.
The visitors cleared to Eberechi Eze, who went on a mazy run before slipping Edouard through on goal. The Palace striker took one look at Leno before finishing high into the Fulham goalkeeper's near post.
Palace looked all set to hang on to their lead, but then a lapse of concentration came with seconds remaining in the half. Mitrovic clipped the ball over the Palace defence to Wilson, who was felled by Mitchell as he tried to cut back inside.
Referee Josh Smith pointed straight to the spot, leaving Mitrovic to blast past Sam Johnstone easily.
It could have been better for the Serbian straight after the half, but he produced a huge miss with the goal gaping.
Mitrovic was found all alone at the back post from Harrison Reed's cross, but the Serbian inexplicably put the ball wide of goal.
But the Serbian would make amends on the hour mark, escaping his man at Willian's free-kick to blast home a header. It was the sixth goal Palace have conceded from a set piece in their last eight games.
Fulham could have made it 3-1 where it not for Johnstone's heroic save from Willian, the Palace goalkeeper superbly tipping a top corner effort over the bar.
But Palace came alive in the final 15 minutes. Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise both tested Leno with low efforts, before Issa Diop almost scored an own goal by nearly tapping in Jean-Philippe Mateta's cross.
But moments later, Palace scored from a set piece of their own. Olise's low free-kick went all the way to the back post where it bounced off Antonee Robinson. Ward picked up on the loose ball and saw one effort saved by Leno, before tapping in the rebound.
Palace could have won it as Mateta was denied a one-on-one by a superb last-ditch challenge by Diop, before Olise curled wide of Leno's post with a fierce drive.
The final whistle ended up coming at a time where the supporters did not want the game to end. But both teams have endured a successful season.
Fulham: Leno; Tete, Tosin, Diop, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha, Cairney (Solomon 80); Wilson (De Cordova-Reid 80), Mitrovic, Willian
Unused substitutes: Rodak, Duffy, Kebano, Cedric, De Cordova-Reid, Lukic, Vinicius, Harris
Goals:
Mitrovic pen 45+4 (With the last kick of the half! Mitrovic plays a ball over the top to Wilson and he's brought down by Mitchell. Referee Josh Smith had no hesitation. Penalty.)
Mitrovic 61 (Easy as you like as Fulham win a free-kick, which Willian whips in. Mitrovic gets across his man to blast past Johnstone.The Serbian has turned this one on its head.FPL Assist: Willian)
Booked: Adarabioyo (74,x), Palhinha (85,f), Robinson (90+1,f),
Crystal Palace: Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Hughes, Doucoure, Eze; Olise, Ayew, Edouard (Mateta 80)
Unused substitutes: Whitworth, Lokonga, Clyne, McArthur, Richards, Ahamada, Adaramola, Riedewal
Goals:
Edouard 35 (It's a brilliant break from Palace, who score from Fulham's corner! The ball breaks to Eze on the edge of the Palace box and he drives forward and slips Edouard through the channel. The Palace forward takes one look at Leno and places the ball high into the net.)
Ward 83 (Palace win a free-kick and it's a mess at the back for Fulham. The low ball from Olise finds its way to Ward. The ball comes off Robinson and it's poor defending.
Leno saves Ward's first effort but can't stop the second.)
Referee:
Josh Smith (Peterborough)
Attendance: 24,356