Report & Highlights: Palace hit back to edge out Fulham

The Eagles were unphased after Fulham opened the scoring just three minutes in, with Ismaïla Sarr and Matheus França scoring either side of half-time to complete the comeback.

Summary:

• 3 - Goal: A rapid counter-attack sees Fulham take the lead through Robinson
• 7: Cardines sees a free-kick blocked
• 12: King nearly doubles the lead but his shot goes wide
• 29: Strand Larsen spins to shoot but Leno makes a smart save
• 33 - GOAL: Palace level thanks to Sarr from a yard out
• 45: Sarr forces a smart save from Leno
• Half-time: Fulham 1-1 Palace
• 45: Pierre Sage brings on Tomiyasu after he officially joined earlier in the day
• 47 - GOAL: França takes a pass from Mingueza to finish superbly and get his fourth goal of pre-season
• 63: Palace make more changes as Sage spreads minutes around the squad
• 81: Devenny goes close but sees his effort deflected over
• Full-time: Fulham 1-2 Palace

The Eagles welcomed back Adam Wharton, Chadi Riad and Jørgen Strand Larsen for their first appearances of pre-season, while Ismaïla Sarr was also in the starting XI.

But it was Fulham who struck first on a sunny evening at Motspur Park, inside the first three minutes.

A quickfire counter-attack ended with a smart finish from Antonee Robinson who fired past Walter Benítez after he was picked out by Oscar Bobb.

The Eagles did nearly respond only a few minutes later, Rio Cardines seeing his on-target free-kick well blocked.

But Fulham had the better of the opening quarter of the contest, with Josh King shaving the Palace post from distance, while Bobb continued to cause problems.

But the Eagles weathered the storm before going close twice in a minute through Jørgen Strand Larsen. The Norwegian nearly found the far corner only to be denied by a brilliant stop from Bernd Leno, before heading just over from the resulting corner.

In the end it was Ismaïla Sarr who levelled. The forward converted from close range when Chris Richards reached a corner at the back post to steer the ball into Sarr’s path.

Only a yard out from goal, the Senegal star was never going to miss.

Sarr very nearly had a second moments before the break after a trademark burst into the penalty area, only for Leno to once again come to Fulham’s rescue.

The Eagles made five changes at half-time and it had an instant impact on proceedings.

A trio were involved as Palace got themselves in front for the first time. Will Hughes won the ball back superbly in Fulham’s third to set Palace away.

The returning Óscar Mingueza slipped the ball through to Matheus França – the Brazilian managing to maintain his balance and get the ball over Benjamin Lecomte for his fourth goal of pre-season. A fine finish from a player in form.

In truth, the game lost its rhythm after the raft of substitutions at the midpoint of the second-half.

But there were bright sparks, particularly the attacking displays from wing-backs Tyrick Mitchell and Mingueza.

Substitute Justin Devenny went close to a second goal in as many games in the closing minutes, only for Joachim Andersen to make a last-ditch block to divert the ball just over.

The Eagles saw out the final few minutes in relative comfort to secure back-to-back pre-season victories, and a confidence boosting win over a side they will take on in the Premier League in less than a month.

Palace XI: Benítez (GK), Riad (Tomiyasu, 45), Richards (Sosa, 63), Canvot, Cardines (Mingueza, 45), Kamada (Doucouré, 63), Wharton (Hughes, 45), Mitchell, Sarr (Devenny, 45), Nketiah (Rak-Sakyi, 63), Strand Larsen (França, 45)

Subs not used: Matthews (GK), Whitworth (GK), Benamar, Jemide, Ozoh.