Fulham’s winless start deepens as Crystal Palace turn the game around

Fulham’s difficult start under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa continued as Crystal Palace came from behind to win 3-2 at Craven Cottage in the third round of the Premier League, leaving the home side without a victory and facing angry supporters.

The defeat was Fulham’s third in succession since Arbeloa took charge, and the latest setback prompted boos from sections of the home crowd at the final whistle. Fulham had twice held the advantage, but could not protect their lead as Crystal Palace produced a determined second-half response.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Fulham made the stronger start and were rewarded after 11 minutes. Joshua King gave the hosts the lead, putting them in front in front of their own supporters and raising hopes of a first Premier League win of the campaign.

Crystal Palace gradually settled into the contest and found an equaliser after 35 minutes. Tyrick Mitchell struck firmly with his left foot to level the score, putting the visitors back into the game before half-time.

Fulham responded quickly. Seven minutes after Palace’s equaliser, Cesar Palacios restored the home side’s advantage. The midfielder’s goal sent Fulham into the interval leading 2-1, despite Palace having recovered from conceding the match’s opening goal.

The visitors returned for the second half with greater attacking intent and applied sustained pressure to the Fulham defence. That approach brought a second goal for Mitchell in the 54th minute, completing his brace and drawing Crystal Palace level once again.

With the match finely balanced, Palace continued to look for a decisive opening. Their efforts paid off in the 77th minute when Ben Chilwell scored to put the visitors ahead for the first time.

Fulham were unable to find another equaliser before the final whistle, allowing Crystal Palace to take all three points from the Premier League fixture. For Fulham, the result extended a bleak opening to the season and added further pressure on Arbeloa, who is still waiting for his first win as manager.

The reaction from the home support reflected the seriousness of the result. Boos greeted Fulham after another defeat, with the team having now lost each of its first three Premier League matches under Arbeloa.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, left with their first three points of the campaign after overturning Fulham’s 2-1 half-time lead. Their comeback transformed a match the hosts had controlled at key moments and ensured the visitors finished the day as the winners.

The match was also discussed in greater detail on the Kooora forums.