Tyrick Mitchell’s brace propelled Crystal Palace to a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Fulham, handing new manager Pierre Sage his inaugural win in charge of the Eagles. Both managers entered the London derby at Craven Cottage under a cloud of scrutiny. Pierre Sage and Fulham’s Alvaro Arbeloa had each suffered defeats in their first two Premier League outings, and the pressure to secure points was palpable. Yet it was Sage who left the stadium beaming, pumping his fists in the away end as the final whistle confirmed an unlikely three points for Palace.
In stark contrast, Arbeloa was left to ponder how his side could lose after leading at halftime and posting an impressive expected‑goals (xG) tally of 3.13. Young striker Josh King once again shone for the Cottagers, but the overall performance raised more questions than answers.
The loss marks Fulham’s third consecutive defeat to start a top‑flight season – a scenario that has only occurred twice before in the club’s history (1951/52 and 2020/21). Both of those previous campaigns ended in relegation, adding a historical weight to the current slump.
**Match Timeline** - **11′ – Goal**: King broke the deadlock after a swift run by Oscar Bobb down the right flank, culminating in a low cross that Jaydee Canvot deflected. The ball looped past Dean Henderson, leaving the Fulham keeper helpless. - **14′ – Disallowed Goal**: Daichi Kamada appeared to equalise when he nudged home Yeremy Pino’s left‑wing cross, but a tight VAR review overturned the decision, denying the Japanese midfielder. - **33′ – Save**: Henderson produced a reflex save at the near post, denying Timothy Castagne a close‑range effort that could have extended Fulham’s lead.
- **35′ – Goal**: Eddie Nketiah delivered a precise pass to Mitchell on the left. The full‑back unleashed a powerful strike that flew past Alphonse Areola at the near post, restoring Palace’s hope. - **42′ – Goal**: Before the break, Palacios equalised for the hosts after a clever interchange on the left involving King, who dummy‑ed Richards before finding the right‑footed midfielder in space to smash the ball home.
Earlier, Henderson had saved Gonzalo Garcia’s attempt, making the goal all the more crucial. - **54′ – Goal**: Mitchell netted his second of the match, capitalising on a weak clearance from Garcia that fell to him inside the box. - **77′ – Goal**: In the dying minutes, Chilwell completed the comeback.
A challenge on Khalaili by Areola appeared to merit a penalty, but the referee pointed to the spot. The substitute stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into an empty net, sealing a 3‑2 win for Palace.
**Post‑Match Reactions** Sky Sports analyst Rich Morgan highlighted the divergent emotions at the final whistle. Both Sage and Arbeloa had entered the derby with their jobs under threat after two opening losses.
Sage, however, had already secured a Carabao Cup victory, giving him a sliver of momentum. For most of the game, it seemed Fulham would claim the three points, until Palace’s second‑half resurgence turned the tide. Sage later described the win as a much‑needed “pump of petrol” for his squad, noting that it prevented a third straight league defeat – a feat not achieved since the 2017/18 season. Arbeloa, on the other hand, lamented missed chances in the first half that could have put Fulham in a stronger position.
He warned that the club now faces a daunting schedule, with upcoming fixtures against Liverpool at Anfield, Manchester United at Craven Cottage, and a Carabao Cup tie against West Ham United. Despite the grim start, Arbeloa stressed that a poor month does not define an entire campaign, praising his players’ work ethic and confidence that a win will eventually arrive. **Quotes from the Managers** *Alvaro Arbeloa (Fulham)*: "Three games, three losses – it’s tough. Now we have to travel to Anfield and host Manchester United, both very difficult matches.
In the Carabao Cup we face West Ham, so the month ahead is challenging. But I told the squad this month won’t dictate the whole season. They’re giving everything, showing great character, and I’m sure the win will come." *Pierre Sage (Crystal Palace)*: "I accept today’s story; that’s the context we played in.
We need to tighten our defence because we were too open in the first half and lacked coordination. The second goal came from a defensive lapse, and while we capitalised on a build‑up error for the first, we must improve. The lesson is free – we won, but we’re aware of the conditions that gave us this victory." **Looking Ahead** The result injects optimism into Sage’s tenure, providing a morale boost that could influence Palace’s upcoming fixtures.
The win also serves as a reminder that early-season form can be volatile, and a single victory can shift momentum dramatically. For Fulham, the challenge is to regroup quickly. Their xG suggests they created quality chances, but clinical finishing and defensive solidity must improve if they hope to avoid a repeat of the relegation‑triggering starts of 1951/52 and 2020/21. Fans of both clubs will be watching closely as the Premier League season unfolds, hoping their teams can turn early setbacks into long‑term success.
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