Jeff Schlupp, Wilfried Zaha help Crystal Palace spoil Fulham's top-flight return

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:29 am

Crystal Palace made a fine start to their Premier League campaign as goals by Jeffrey Schlupp and Wilfried Zaha helped them to a 2-0 win at Fulham in a lively match at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

It was a disappointing return to the elite for Fulham, who were relegated in 2014 and missed a flurry of chances in the first half before they were undone by two goals.

Schlupp struck in the 41st minute with a shot from a tight angle and Zaha sealed the win in the closing stages when he rounded Fulham goalkeeper Fabri and slotted the ball into an empty net.

Palace manager Roy Hodgson was delighted with his team's second-half performance as the visitors controlled the game after the break.

"I thought we were much better in the second half," Hodgson told the BBC. "Fulham played well in the first period and they caused us problems, but our goalkeeper made some good saves. We had better control in the second half and it was difficult for them to come back into it after Wilfried Zaha scored."

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring his team's second at Fulham.
Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring his team's second at Fulham.
Christopher Lee/Getty Images

Hodgson also said it was a close call to name Wayne Hennessey as first-choice goalkeeper ahead of new signing Vicente Guaita -- a decision that paid off handsomely.

"Guaita has been excellent for us in the preseason and quite frankly, it was a toss of the coin between him and Hennessey," Hodgson said.

"I would have been equally confident had Vicente played, but Wayne Henessesy played well last season and there was no reason for him to surrender his shirt."

Hennessey twice denied Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in the first half after he had also kept out a long-range shot from right back Cyrus Christie.

Palace had only Christian Benteke's header kept out by Fabri to show for their efforts in the opening 30 minutes, but Schlupp's goal swung the game after he gave the keeper no chance with a shot on the turn.

Palace had the upper hand after the break, and although Zaha saw his close-range volley kept out by Fabri on the hour, he made no mistake in the 79th minute after a defence-splitting pass by Aaron-Wan Bissaka.