Schlupp in the face
WAKE-UP CALL FOR FULHAM AS EAGLES OFF TO A FLIER
CRYSTAL PALACE had to wait until midway through October for their first goal last season.
As for an away victory, well, that didn’t arrive until the dark midwinter days of December.
This time they needed just one match to tick off both milestones, after goals from Jeffrey Schlupp and Wilfried Zaha dashed Fulham’s hopes of making a winning return to the Premier League.
They had some good fortune when referee Mike Dean turned down what looked a stonewall penalty for the Cottagers with the score at 1-0, after Andre Schurrle went down under a questionable challenge from Mamadou Sakho.
But Palace, who were completely outplayed for the first half-hour, gave Slavisa Jokanovic’s men a reminder of just how clinical their opponents will be at this level.
Eagles manager Roy Hodgson said: “This means a lot. Given that dreadful run last season with seven games, no points or goals, minus 17 goal difference, to win a game...
“It took us until the end of October to get more than three points last time. We already have that now, so we’re happy.
“We didn’t start the game well, but that was largely due to Fulham starting well. They won the ball quickly, were sharp and quick into tackles, making it difficult to play the ball through midfield.
“But we got better and better. Scoring a goal helps to put a team on the back foot and, second half, we were much better.
“Slavisa is probably not unhappy with the way his team played, but unhappy with the result. We scored two very good goals.” Hodgson was right. Fulham boss Jokanovic was not unhappy with the way his side played, and he refused to criticise Dean over the rejected penalty.
Jokanovic said: “The Palace keeper made a few great saves.
“It’s a shame because we wanted to start in the Premier League with a
It took us until the end of October to get more than three points last season!
positive result. We showed some positive things, but need to improve many things too.
“From my position, yes, it was a penalty, but the referee’s position was better. If he says no, it’s no. I don’t complain about this kind of situation.
“I was 60 yards from this decision. He was six.”
Wayne Hennessey was excellent, denying Cyrus Christie’s long-range effort, then keeping out Aleksandar Mitrovic with two good saves before the break and another late on.
Ryan Sessegnon also found the Welshman in great form.
Fulham’s new boys gelled quickly with Jean Michael Seri and Schurrle looking lively going forward. Joe Bryan and Callum Chambers were solid at the back.
The only real blot for Chambers came when Schlupp took Patrick van Aanholt’s pass, rolled him and slammed the ball into keeper Fabri’s net. Palace raised their levels in the second half and Fabri was shuddered when Van Aanholt’s long-range shot hit him in the chest.
But the Eagles then got away with one big-time, when Sakho slid in on Schurrle and the World Cup-winning German went down in the area.
It was a penalty to most people at Craven Cottage but not to the only man whose opinion counted. It was tough on Fulham but Palace didn’t care, and when impressive Aaron Wan-bissaka released Zaha, the Eagles talisman held off Maxime Le Marc – and slotted his shot beneath Fabri to settle matters.