Chilwell nets Palace winner in thriller at Fulham
Ben Chilwell marked his second Crystal Palace debut by scoring the winning goal as the Eagles edged out Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage.
Palace claimed its first victory under Pierre Sage, twice coming from behind to take all three points in an entertaining London derby.
Fulham broke the deadlock in the 11th minute as Josh King received Oscar Bobb's cutback, before his shot deflected off Jaydee Canvot and into the net.
The visitors were denied an equaliser soon after. Daichi Kamada tucked away from close range after being found by Yeremy Pino's brilliant trivela cross, but his close-range finish was ruled out for offside after a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
Palace did, however, level on 35 minutes as Eddie Nketiah found the overlapping Tyrick Mitchell, who fired past Bernd Leno at his near post.
But Fulham edged itself back in front before half-time, with Cesar Palacios slotting home his first goal in English football after Dean Henderson could only parry King's deflected centre.
Palace equalised for a second time in fortuitous fashion nine minutes into the second half. Gonzalo Garcia's attempted clearance went straight to Mitchell, whose initial drive was blocked, and he unwittingly helped the ball back towards goal, with the Spaniard unable to keep it out on the line.
The Eagles then completed the turnaround with what proved to be the winning goal on 77 minutes. Leno denied Anan Khalaili, but the ball ultimately broke kindly for Chilwell, who volleyed into an empty net to seal all three points.
Palace boss Sage now hopes his side can gain confidence from the result and the manner in which it was earned.
"We need points, and the strength the fans give us is important. The result is positive but I am aware of the game, but sometimes it is like this, you have to take the points," he said, but he didn't let his players off the hook for another poor defensive display he wasn't entirely happy with.
"I am not happy with the way we defended, we have a lot of things to move. The confidence from this result can help us. It's like with a car, when you put petrol inside you can drive," he said.
Palace’s steely determination to record an impressive comeback victory was highlighted by full-back Mitchell.
Mitchell attempted three shots in this game, the highest total for an Eagles player in the Premier League this season, and netted a brace for the first time in his club career, with his two goals marking the first time he had been on the scoresheet in the Premier League in 36 games.
“It was a tough game, they were 2-1 up and we had a lot to do, but I'm happy I could contribute and get the win,” Mitchell said.
“That was the first time [I've been on a hat-trick], it felt weird but I've been trying to get into those positions more the past couple of seasons.
“The first goal Eddie [Nketiah] passed it to me and I heard him scream 'shoot'. Second one was right place, right time, a fluke goal.”
For Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa, the Cottagers have lost all three of their Premier League games this season.
It is the third time Fulham has lost its opening three league contests, also doing so in 1951-1952 and 2020-2021, ultimately suffering relegation on both those occasions.
Arbeloa will be hoping history does not repeat itself, and was very upbeat after the match.
“I think we didn't deserve to lose this game," he said.
"I think my players did everything, good attitude, they were brave, so many chances to score more goals. They [Crystal Palace] took their chances, in the end football is about that.
“We were really unlucky in this goal [second Palace goal], we had many chances also we were very unlucky. Good effort from Gonzalo [Garcia], that's the spirit I want from my players, the striker making a sprint to try and save a goal.
"With that spirit and character, if we play in this way, the victories will come.
“We did many good things to win the game, it was similar against Chelsea but we lose. For the players it's a difficult situation, difficult moment, but I am very proud of them."
