Fulham 2-2 Crystal Palace: Ward bundles home late equaliser for Eagles after Mitrovic’s brace
Aleksandar Mitrovic doesn’t need much to get going. We already knew this.
His first home game in two months and adding a nosebleed after three minutes to the brew? Chaos and effectiveness to aplomb.
His first, on the stroke of half time, was an unstoppable penalty kicked into the top right corner with sheer conviction.
While his second took advantage of his central gift after an hour: heading from set pieces. Willian’s free kick was just right for the money, mind you.
The brace had almost laid the groundwork for the Cottagers to surpass their record Premier League points tally of 53.
Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward scored a late equalizer to claim a deserved point at Fulham
A powerful header from Aleksandar Mitrovic gave the home side the lead in the 61st minute
That was set by Roy Hodgson’s side in 2008-09. In context, what a job Marco Silva has done.
But Crystal Palace again showed their valiant fighting spirit in this campaign.
They didn’t lie down or resign themselves to the fact that it was Mitrovic and Fulham’s day. It would have been easier to.
A free kick drifted into the area with seven minutes of 90 remaining. It appeared to be under the control of the Fulham backline, until the ball bounced off Antonee Robinson’s back.
Ward aimed, shot and then completed a rebound that landed on his plate from goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
It was messy and against the grain; in some ways an encapsulation of the game as a whole.
Before the game, all eyes were on Mitrovic. The home fans first got a glimpse of him at Craven Cottage since March, following an eight-match ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh.
But his introduction, and the game itself, was rather bloody.
Odsonne Edouard opened the score for Crystal Palace in the 34th minute on Saturday
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in his second consecutive match since returning from suspension
The Crystal Palace striker fired a left-footed shot into the top corner past Leno
An elbow from Joachim Anderson to the nose in an aerial duel after three minutes with the striker sent blood spurting from that region.
He came back with a cotton swab in one nostril and a new shirt – with no number or name on the back.
Later in the half, Jordan Ayew’s elbow found its way into Tete’s face as he pushed him away from the touchline and Tyrick Mitchell’s knee hit Bobby De Cordova Reid’s head.
It all got quite physical.
Willian posed a threat that drifted in from the left in pockets behind Mitrovic, though he struggled to execute an effective throw.
The deadlock was broken when Harry Wilson was pinned down by an advancing Trick Mitchell.
Referee Josh Smith awarded a penalty and Mitrovic dismissed him.
Palace’s opener came with their first real chance on goal. Although, at this season’s stage, it’s clear you can’t give Palace’s fast-paced outfit space or time.
Mitrovic scored from the spot after Harry Wilson was fouled by Tyrick Mitchell in the penalty area
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno parries the ball off the goal under pressure from Olise
Fulham striker Aleksander Mitrovic clashes with Fulham defender Joachim Andersen
The Cottagers remained above their London rivals, who managed to climb above Chelsea
A corner kick from Fulham broke to Ebere Eze, he motored down the middle to pass Odsonne Edouard. He then shot the ball past goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
The recently unfamiliar taste of home scoring had clearly whetted Mitrovic’s appetite. Within seconds of the second half, he began a move that left him alone in the penalty area.
Wilson’s crotch found him. A simple tap was needed, but he could only send it wide.
Fulham felt they had done enough, until Ward delivered the blow.