Fulham spurning another chance to cement themselves as contenders for European qualification needs to be placed in perspective given that this disappointment came against opponents who have mastered the art of playing away from home.
No one will relish hosting Crystal Palace at the moment. Not only are Oliver Glasner’s side unbeaten on their travels in the Premier League since October, they are also on a run of five consecutive 2-0 away wins in all competitions after their calculated dismissal of a blunt and irritable Fulham.
It is testament to Glasner’s coaching that Palace’s defensive discipline did not come at the cost of attacking adventure. Although the first goal was a scruffy affair, Joachim Andersen turning a corner into his own net against his former employers, and the second from a rampaging Daniel Muñoz run on the counterattack, this was no smash and grab. “Credit to the players,” Glasner said. “We know when we are disciplined like today it is tough to play against us.”
The frustration with Fulham, who could have gone seventh, is that they tend to be at their least inspired when they are expected to dominate. Is it a mental block? How else to explain their inability to build on beating Nottingham Forest?
Perhaps it had something to do with Palace’s expertise on the road. Their 3-4-2-1 system poses awkward tactical questions and they are skilled in stifling opponents. Fulham created nothing despite having plenty of the ball during an angry, anxious first half. Adama Traoré had no joy against Tyrick Mitchell on the right and there were few moments when Palace’s outstanding back three of Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guéhi were pulled out of position.
Fulham soon looked uncertain. Palace were more incisive, Jean-Philippe Mateta shooting just wide in the third minute. It was a sign of Fulham’s discomfort that they were reduced to complaining about the referee, Robert Jones. Palace, who were assured and methodical in possession, threatened again when Eberechi Eze drew two saves from Bernd Leno from long range.
Eze was in delightful form after returning to the starting XI. Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma also impressed in midfield and it was no surprise when Palace went ahead in the 37th minute. Lacroix darted to the near post in an attempt to meet Hughes’s corner and the ball went in off Andersen, who was unable to adjust after being given a little shove by Ismaïla Sarr.
Fulham fans were still grumbling about the non-award of a foul moments before the corner. In truth, though, it was easy to tell where this game was heading long before Palace’s opener. “We were solid and stayed patient,” Glasner said. “I liked in the first half how confident we were, how quickly we moved the ball.”
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Marco Silva admitted that Fulham fell below the required level. He talked about a lack of intensity in possession and was unhappy with Palace’s goals. He could not understand why no one brought down Mateta when the striker broke forward and released Muñoz after Fulham failed to make the most of an attacking free-kick.
Fulham, who did not have a shot on target until the 95th minute, were muted. Palace were more aggressive and inventive. They did not feel sorry for themselves after Mateta had a goal disallowed for offside at the start of the second half. They pushed again in the 66th minute, Mateta seizing possession in his own half and driving past flimsy challenges from the Fulham substitutes Andreas Pereira and Tom Cairney. The ball went to Muñoz on the right and the wing-back crashed a shot past Leno after beating Calvin Bassey.
