The final away game of the season ended in an entertaining draw between two teams that are free to express themselves on the pitch with the long awaited break for the summer in touching distance.
TIME/ DATE/ VENUE
- 3pm
- 20th May 2023
- Craven Cottage, Stevenage Road, London SW6 6HH
RESULT
Fulham 2-2 Crystal Palace
PLAYER RATINGS
21
|
Sam JOHNSTONE
|
6.2
|
2
|
Joel WARD
|
6.9
|
16
|
Joachim ANDERSEN
|
6.2
|
6
|
Marc GUEHI
|
7.7
|
3
|
Tyrick MITCHELL
|
5.8
|
19
|
Will HUGHES
|
6.6
|
28
|
Cheick DOUCOURE
|
6.4
|
10
|
Eberechi EZE
|
7.8
|
7
|
Michael OLISE
|
6.5
|
9
|
Jordan AYEW
|
7.1
|
22
|
Odsonne EDOUARD (14 Jean-Philippe MATETA 80 mins)
|
7.3 (6.1)
|
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 8 Albert Sambi LOKONGA,17 Nathaniel CLYNE, 18 James MCARTHUR, 26 Chris RICHARDS, 29 Naouirou AHAMADA, 38 Tayo ADARAMOLA, 41 Joe WHITWORTH, 44 Jairo RIEDEWALD,
POSITION LINE-UP
17
|
Bernd LENO
|
6.8
|
33
|
Antonee ROBINSON
|
5.6
|
31
|
Issa DIOP
|
6.6
|
4
|
Tosin ADARABIOYO
|
7.5
|
2
|
Kenny TETE
|
7.1
|
26
|
Joao PALHINHA
|
5.9
|
6
|
Harrison REED
|
6.2
|
20
|
WILLIAN
|
8.0
|
10
|
Tom CAIRNEY (11 Manor SOLOMON 80 mins)
|
6.5 (5.9)
|
8
|
Harry WILSON (14 Bobby CORDOVA-REID 80 mins)
|
7.1 (5.8)
|
9
|
Aleksandar MITROVIC
|
7.3
|
UNSED SUBSTITUTES – 1 Marek RODAK, 5 Shane DUFFY, 7 Neeskens KEBANO, 12 Cedric SOARES, 28 Sasa LUKIC, 30 Carlos VINICIUS, 38 Luke HARRIS
TEB VERDICT
This was a game that swung in both teams favour at different stages of the game, from Palace taking the lead to ending up chasing the game. It showed plenty of character to take the point in the end and even though there was a little luck with the equaliser, it was a game that Palace did not deserve to lose.
The man of the moment Eberechi Eze starred with cameos from Marc Guehi, Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Edouard who got the start replacing the injured Wilfried Zaha. However, there will not be one Palace fan who did not enjoy Joel Ward finding the equaliser that ensured a share of the points.
So, it all comes to an end next Sunday at Selhurst Park. Plenty to look back on and smile about even though there have been several struggles but we could see an end of an era.
BOB’S POINT OF VIEW
Bob White was a coach at Palace under the tenure of Steve Coppell and Alan Smith and will be sharing his point of view each week in our review article.
“The late Spring sunny weather along with pleasant views across Mother Thames combined to make this a real end of season feel. Both teams struggled to find any consistent rhythm during the whole game where misplaced passes and conceding soft fouls became the order of the day.
There is no doubting what Fulham have achieved on their return to the top level this season, so a sharing of the spoils felt about right and maybe what most fans would have been happy with before the start of the game. At least we didn’t see a repeat of that calamitous 0-3 performance against the same opponents on Boxing Day at Selhurst Park.
There was no surprise when our one real bit of quality during the first half was created by Eze ending with a crisp first time finish by Edouard. As the first half drew to a close, many of our fans were certainly left scratching their heads when a penalty was awarded to Fulham way beyond the additional three minutes indicated on the board. It probably summed up the overall inept performance of the officials. Not sure how many times I have reflected that appointed officials were not up to Premier League requirements.
However, our team again showed their resilience and belief when we came back from a goal down in the latter stages of the 2nd half with an unexpected finish by Ward. The joy on his face told the full picture of his delight and maybe surprise. A very rare goal scoring event!
Maybe it was a game where the result didn’t particularly matter to either team but the point we gained ensured a guaranteed 12th place finish at least for Palace. It certainly feels like a default position for us this season!
We must do everything in our power to hold on to Guehi, Andersen, Doucoure, Olise and Eze during the summer. We can certainly add Zaha to that list but in contract terms that decision is out of our control. Together they form a core foundation in progressing next season whoever is appointed manager. Not too many players particularly stood out during the game, so although it may have been obvious to give my man of the match award to Guehi, I’m going to give that accolade to Ward. Through loyalty, longevity and consistent performances Ward must be one of the best pound for pound players we have purchased in our recent history.
One added footnote – it was great to see the high esteem Roy Hodgson is held in by both sets of fans. Whatever the decision around Hodgson’s future at our club, his latest return has been an unqualified success. Let’s show him a well deserved and proper ‘Palace’ thanks next Sunday at Selhurst.”
POST GAME QUOTES
ROY HODGSON
“I thought towards the end of the game, the longer it went on, the more control we managed to establish and also the sort of quality and football that we can play. I think we fully deserved to come away with something from the game and it was good to come away with something in a game – not last week where we were dominant from start to finish – where sometimes you’ve got to dig in and make certain you stay in the game to give yourself the chance to come back at the end. “
MARCO SILVA
“It was a disappointing result of course. The way we started the game on the front foot clear and commanding the game and took the game for our side – first 20 minutes we did it really well. We didn’t create many chances during that period but we did it well and when we pushed them back they were well organised. I think we command really well the game. At this level when we concede a goal like we did first goal after a corner for us is a bit disappointing, frustration for us because at this level you can’t cannot concede that.”
MATCH STATISTICS
Star Man
|
WILLIAN (8.0)
|
Goals
|
Odsonne EDOUARD (34), Aleksandar MITROVIC (45+4, 61), Joel WARD (83)
|
Assists
|
Eberechi EZE (34), WILLIAN (61)
|
Most shots
|
Tosin ADARABIOYO, Aleksandar MITROVIC, Eberechi EZE (3)
|
Most tackles
|
Kenny TETE (5)
|
Most dribbles
|
Jordan AYEW (5)
|
Team rating
|
6.61 – 6.69
|
Total shots
|
11 – 11
|
Shots on target
|
4 – 5
|
Yellow cards
|
Tosin ADARABIOYO (71), Joao PALHINHA (85), Antonee ROBINSON (91)
|
Red cards
|
None
|
Possession
|
49.5% – 50.5%
|
Pass success
|
75% – 78%
|
Passes
|
352 – 371
|
Dribbles
|
6 – 12
|
Aerials won
|
13 – 12
|
Tackles
|
16 – 12
|
Fouls
|
13 – 12
|
Corners
|
7 – 4
|
Saves
|
3 – 2
|
Dispossessed
|
7 – 7
|
POSITION IN THE TABLE (at the final whistle)
POS
|
TEAM
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GD
|
PTS
|
10
|
Fulham
|
15
|
7
|
15
|
3
|
52
|
11
|
Crystal Palace
|
11
|
11
|
15
|
-9
|
44
|
12
|
Chelsea
|
11
|
10
|
14
|
-5
|
43
|
UPCOMING FIXTURES
28/05/23 Nottingham Forest (h) – Premier League (4.30pm)
Our thanks to Bob White for his excellent contributions to our post match reviews this season. He will be missing the final game of the season against Nottingham Forest to take part in the Ride London 100 mile event in aid of Kangaroos, a charity in Mid-Sussex for those with learning disabilities. If you would like to help Bob along with a donation, you can do so by CLICKING THIS LINK.