Marc Guehi’s brilliant late header at Fulham sent Crystal Palace up to fourth in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over their London rivals.
The Eagles captain rose highest with less than five minutes of normal time to play at Craven Cottage to nod the ball home before celebrating in front of a jubilant away section.
Oliver Glasner had played down talk of Palace finishing in the Champions League spots before this game. He is likely to face many more questions on the subject now. An FA Cup win, Community Shield triumph, European adventure and now a top-four spot in December in the Premier League. The Austrian is taking Palace into unchartered territory.
The goal capped a fantastic derby which swung one way to the other. Palace survived an early onslaught of Fulham set-pieces and led after 20 minutes when Eddie Nketiah seized his chance on his first Premier League start of the season, expertly firing into the bottom corner.
Palace then had penalty appeals turned down when Joachim Andersen caught Nathaniel Clyne right on the edge of the box. No foul said the officials. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher disagreed.
At the other end there had been a brilliant save from Dean Henderson to keep out Emile Smith Rowe – but there was no stopping Harry Wilson’s spectacular equaliser. It was a gorgeous goal, with the Welshman bending the ball in with the outside of his left boot following some slick play between Alex Iwobi, Wilson and Raul Jimenez.
“That is unbelievable,” said Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp. “You can’t defend that.”
The momentum was with Fulham, and Palace were unable to prevent Smith Rowe pouncing to convert the rebound when Iwobi headed against a post in the second half, but VAR spotted Samuel Chukwueze was marginally offside in the build-up and Fulham were denied a second. It wasn’t Smith Rowe’s day.
After the 5-4 thriller with Man City here on Tuesday, the home fans were again provided plenty of entertainment at Craven Cottage. But there was another twist to come and again the Fulham faithful found themselves on the wrong end of an engrossing encounter.
Fulham haven’t recorded a top-flight win over Palace since January 2005. They’ll go away from this match feeling they had the opportunity to end the wait but couldn’t come up with a crucial second goal. Instead they stay 15th, with their local rivals soaring high.
Redknapp: Wharton masterclass in midfield
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp:
“I would say Palace deserved the win. They just had a bit more knowhow. Adam Wharton in midfield was magnificent. It was a masterclass, never gave the ball away. He has such an understanding of where his team-mates are.
“Then you have your captain that comes up with a really important header. I just felt Palace were a bit more dangerous. In the wide areas they had some good delivery into the box.
“It was a massive goal from Marc Guehi.”
Morrison: ‘Outstanding’ Mitchell has to be in England squad
Sky Sports’ Clinton Morrison:
“Tyrick Mitchell was outstanding. He had to do a lot down that left-hand side because Nathaniel Clyne wasn’t going to do it on his side. He is brilliant.
“If Thomas Tuchel is watching that, he has to be in the England squad. I will keep banging that drum. When you keep performing like that, you have to be in with a chance.”






