Crystal Palace Under-21s welcome Hayden Mullins’ in-form Fulham to Sutton’s VBS Community Stadium for a Premier League 2 clash under the lights on Friday evening (13 February, 19:00 GMT). Here’s everything you need to know.
The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Friday (13th February), with coverage beginning at 18:45 GMT ahead of a 19:00 GMT kick-off – click HERE to find out more and subscribe.
Supporters can follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report and reaction published shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.
Highlights and extended reaction will be available on Palace TV+.
A late penalty from Jemiah Umolu earned Palace a hard-fought 1–1 draw against unbeaten Middlesbrough on Monday night, lifting the young Eagles to 14th place in Premier League 2.
It has been a stop-start beginning to 2026 for Darren Powell’s side, with postponements punctuating a run of mixed results.
An emphatic 6–0 victory over Derby County has been followed by a narrow defeat at Ipswich and Monday’s resilient display against Boro – a sequence that platforms both the potential and fine margins at this stage of the campaign.
After absorbing early pressure against Middlesbrough, Palace grew into the contest, with Umolu a constant threat throughout the first half. The visitors struck shortly after the break, but the response was encouraging, with Palace pushing forward and increasing the tempo as the game wore on.
That pressure eventually told late on, as Dean Benamar won a penalty in the closing stages and Umolu calmly converted to secure a deserved point and continue his scoring run in PL2.
Palace now sit level on 18 points with Aston Villa and Wolves, with Nottingham Forest just a point behind. Crucially, the young Eagles hold games in hand on several sides around them as the play-off picture begins to take shape.
Fulham arrive in excellent form after a thumping 5–0 win over West Ham last time out — arguably their standout performance of the PL2 season so far. That result extended the young Whites’ unbeaten run to 13 matches and leaves Hayden Mullins’ side third in the table on 29 points, just one behind leaders Chelsea.
Out of the 29 academies competing in Premier League 2, Fulham remain the division’s only unbeaten side. Following an impressive 2024/25 campaign that saw them finish runners-up to eventual play-off winners Manchester City, the young Cottagers have carried that momentum into the current season.
Interestingly, Fulham’s form has been strongest on the road, with all six of their league victories coming away from home. Their record at Motspur Park is more mixed, but Friday’s fixture at VBS Community Stadium removes that variable.
Only Manchester City have scored more goals in PL2 this season, with Fulham netting 35 in total. While former England youth international Aaron Loupalo-Bi contributed significantly before his recent loan move to Walsall, others have stepped up to maintain Fulham’s attacking threat.
Fulham expected XI: McNally, White, Nsasi, Amissah, Brad de Jesus, Quashie, Chingwaro, Olyott, Casey, Ali-Wahid, Kusi-Asare.
Bradley Slade returned to action last time out after a long spell on the sidelines, featuring for the final half-hour against West Ham. Former Arsenal U18s midfielder Dan Casey, named as a trialist, caught the eye with an effort from range that forced a strong save.
It has also been a memorable week for Seth Chingwaro. The 18-year-old trained with Fulham’s first team before starring in the U21s’ victory over West Ham, continuing his step up from the U18s since the turn of the year.
Tom Wingate has also rediscovered his scoring touch after a lengthy injury absence, netting twice against Norwich and looking sharp in recent outings.
Fulham sit third in Premier League 2 with 29 points, just one behind leaders Chelsea, who edge Manchester United on goal difference. Their 35 goals scored are the second-highest in the division, while defensively they boast the joint second-best record, conceding just 17.
With eight wins and five draws from their opening fixtures, Mullins’ side remain unbeaten in 2025/26 and represent one of the sternest tests in the league.
An exciting, direct winger, Farhaan Ali Waheed has been one of Fulham’s standout performers this season, registering nine goals and three assists across all competitions. A constant threat in one-v-one situations, his ability to beat defenders and finish from wide areas makes him a key danger.
The forward joined Fulham from Chelsea at U12 level and wasted little time making his mark at U21s level, earning the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for November after a run of eye-catching performances.
Tom Olyott has been a creative force in recent weeks and is shortlisted for PL2 Player of the Month for January. The forward has registered four assists in five games, with his delivery from wide areas proving particularly effective.
Born in Reading, Hayden Mullins began his professional career at Crystal Palace, going on to make over 250 senior appearances for the club across five seasons. A two-time Player of the Year winner, Mullins captained Palace during the 2002/03 campaign and was a key figure during an important period in the club’s history.
He later enjoyed successful spells at West Ham United and Portsmouth, reaching an FA Cup final with the latter, before finishing his playing career with stints at Reading, Birmingham City and Notts County.
After retiring in 2015, Mullins moved into coaching, holding roles at Brentford and Watford – where he spent four years as Under-21s Head Coach and twice served as interim first-team manager. He later took charge of Colchester United before gaining further experience in non-league and international coaching.
Mullins was appointed Fulham Under-21s Head Coach in July 2023 and has overseen a period of impressive development and consistency since taking the role.
The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Friday (13th February), with coverage beginning at 18:45 GMT ahead of a 19:00 GMT kick-off – click HERE to find out more and subscribe.
Supporters can follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report and reaction published shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.
Highlights and extended reaction will be available on Palace TV+.
Crystal Palace U21s vs Fulham U21s
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