Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace: Report, result and goals as Guehi nets late winner

Crystal Palace claimed a late 2-1 win at Craven Cottage as Marc Guehi’s near-post header five minutes from time sent Oliver Glasner’s side into the top four.

Palace began the match with control of possession, working through their midfield trio and looking to release Tyrick Mitchell and Yeremi Pino in wide areas.

Their pressure paid off in the 20th minute with a well-constructed opener. Adam Wharton initiated the move with a beautiful pass out to the left and continued his run to combine with Marc Guehi on the edge of the area, sliding Edward Nketiah into space.

The forward took a clean touch and swept a low strike beyond Bernd Leno to score on his 50th Palace appearance.

Fulham’s response was immediate, though. Emile Smith Rowe was denied by Dean Henderson after breaking into the box from Sander Berge’s through ball, but the equaliser arrived eight minutes later via a moment of individual quality.

Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez combined with a slick one-two on the right side of the area, Wilson spinning past his marker to collect the return and guide a clever outside-of-the-boot finish into the far corner.

It was Wilson’s fourth league goal of the season and brought Craven Cottage to life after a passive opening spell.

Both teams traded half-chances before the interval. Nathaniel Clyne miscued a clear opportunity at the back post for Palace, while Alex Iwobi saw a volley bounce kindly for Henderson.

Fulham threaten, VAR frustration

Fulham started the second half on the front foot and thought they had taken the lead ten minutes after the restart.

A well-worked move ended with Smith Rowe finishing into an open goal after Iwobi’s header had struck the post, but VAR ruled that Samuel Chukwueze was marginally offside in the build-up, cutting short the celebrations.

Palace then enjoyed a promising spell of their own. Pino created chances for Jean-Philippe Mateta and later substitute Christantus Uche, each pulling efforts wide from good positions.

Mitchell remained an energetic outlet on the left, repeatedly supplying dangerous deliveries across the face of goal.

Guehi settles the contest

With the match entering the closing stages, both managers turned to their benches. The game appeared set to drift towards a draw, but Palace’s winner came from another precise Pino delivery.

The winger’s corner from the left found Guehi darting between two defenders at the near post, and the captain glanced a header inside the upright to restore the visitors’ lead and give them all three points.